Abstract
The faunas of a succession of localities from the Oligocene and early Miocene of Limagne (Massif Central, France) have been studied in order to examine how assemblage composition and diversity changed during this period and what factors may have contributed to these changes. Available evidence suggests that the observed evolution in faunas is related to climatic disturbances (moisture, temperature) and to vegetation: u - the abundance in the faunas of «aquatic or arid forms as well as the relative abundance of Eomyids-Glirids permits to follow the succession of relatively wet and dry periods; - as in the Miocene, the greater number of teeth of the genus Peridyromys seems to be related to cooler temperatures; - the Oligocene faunas, dominated by various rodents and insectivores, seem to indicate forest environment; the Miocene ones, with numerous Carnivora and Artiodactyla, may have lived in more open habitats. Finally, the changes in environmental conditions observed in Limagne at the Oligocene-Miocene boundary seem to be consistant with similar changes in the faunas of other regions and in other fossil groups (floras).
Published Version
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