Neogene Mammal Research Articles

Calibrating lower-middle Miocene mammal faunas and unravelling climate change during the Miocene Climate Optimum: the Bardenas Reales de Navarra record (Ebro basin, NE Iberian Peninsula)

AbstractThe chronology of lower Miocene Iberian small mammal faunas is still poorly constrained given the scarcity of well dated sedimentary successions including small mammal fossil localities. Such scarcity has prevented also an accurate understanding of the response of European terrestrial ecosystem to global changes across the Miocene climate optimum (MCO), one of the best analogues of present-day global warming. Here we present an updated fossil small mammal record of the Bardenas Reales de Navarra (western Ebro basin, Spain), where an expanded lower to middle Miocene continental succession is superbly exposed. Previous and new magnetostratigraphic results from this succession have enabled us to propose, along with additional magnetostratigraphically-dated Iberian faunas, a new chronology for local zones Y to D (Mammal Neogene zones MN2 to MN5). In addition to that, the studied small mammal faunas point to a gradual increase in temperature and humidity conditions in SW Europe between 20 and 15.5 Ma, which appears to be coupled with the progressive shift towards warmer regional (Atlantic) and global conditions across the MCO, thereby pointing to gradual changes in oceanic circulation as the main driver of this period of global warmth. The evolution of sedimentary facies appears to indicate a threshold response of the Ebro basin hydrological balance to the MCO, whereas pedogenic formation of magnetic minerals seems to be linked to periods of enhanced climate variability. These results highlight the need of combining different paleoenvironmental indicators in order to obtain a reliable view of the response of continental ecosystems to global warming.

Dental remains of Plio–Pleistocene Cercopithecidae (Mammalia: Primates) from Romania

The superfamily Cercopithecoidea had a broad spatial distribution and occupied a wide variety of habitats across Europe from the Late Miocene until the Middle Pleistocene. Cercopithecines, such as macaques, showed more flexibility in habitat preferences, whereas colobines tended to be more sensitive to environmental differences. In Romania, only a few Pliocene and Pleistocene fossil sites have yielded primate remains. In this paper, we revise selected specimens previously listed in site reviews, and we describe several unpublished specimens from the Plio–Pleistocene fossil localities of Berești (Mammal Neogene [MN], MN14–MN15), Mălușteni (MN14), Ciuperceni-2 (MN15b), and Betfia (MN18). For each, we provide detailed descriptions, comparisons to other relevant material, and updated taxonomic assignments. We also present an updated biochronology and provide a paleoenvironmental reconstruction based on the taxonomic composition of the faunal assemblages described from these primate localities. The colobine monkey Dolichopithecus ruscinensis, from Berești, Mălușteni, and Ciuperceni-2, was present during the Early Pliocene in Romania. Mesopithecus monspessulanus is also known from Mălușteni, as is Paradolichopithecus sp. The Early Pleistocene site Betfia yielded a molar germ (in crypt; Betfia-XIII) and a deciduous premolar (Betfia-IX), both belonging to a Macaca sylvanus subspecies. Macaca sylvanus ssp. occurrences from Betfia-XIII and Betfia-IX offer an important perspective for understanding the chronostratigraphic range and geographic distribution of this species during the Early Pleistocene. The paleoenvironmental descriptions from Ciuperceni-2 show that primates were distributed in a mosaic habitat, with open and forested areas and a warm Mediterranean climate. This differs from Mălușteni, Berești, and Betfia, where a dry continental phase with an open landscape is inferred. Our review of paleoenvironmental conditions of Romanian primate localities provides a paleoecological framework for understanding the habitat preferences of extinct primates.

Life in a Central European warm-temperate to subtropical open forest: Paleoecology of the rhinocerotids from Ulm-Westtangente (Aquitanian, Early Miocene, Germany)

The Ulm-Westtangente locality has yielded the most abundant vertebrate fauna from the Aquitanian stage in Germany. Its dating to the Mammal Neogene Zone 2a, a turnover in Cenozoic climate, makes it a crucial source for the understanding of faunal, paleoecological and paleoenvironmental specifics of the European Aquitanian. However, while most taxa from Ulm-Westtangente have been studied, little to no research has been conducted on the large herbivores, particularly on the two rhinocerotids Mesaceratherium paulhiacense and Protaceratherium minutum. Here, we used a multi-proxy approach to investigate the paleoecology of these two species. The remains of the smaller species P. minutum (438 to 685 kg) are twice as abundant as those of the larger M. paulhiacense (1389 to 2327 kg), but both display a similar age structure (~ 10% of juveniles, 20% of subadults and 70% of adults), mortality curves, and mild prevalence of hypoplasia (~ 17%). Results from dental mesowear, microwear, and carbon isotopes indicate different feeding preferences: both were C3 feeders but M. paulhiacense had a more abrasive diet and was probably a mixed feeder. Our study on rhinocerotids also yielded new paleoenvironmental insights, such as the mean annual temperature (15.8 °C) and precipitation (317 mm/year) suggesting rather warm and dry conditions.

A new large pantherine and a sabre-toothed cat (Mammalia, Carnivora, Felidae) from the late Miocene hominoid-bearing Khorat sand pits, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, northeastern Thailand.

We describe two large predators from the hominoid-bearing Khorat sand pits, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, northeastern Thailand: a new genus of pantherine, Pachypantheran. gen.,represented by partial mandible and maxilla and an indeterminate sabre-toothed cat, represented by a fragment of upper canine. The morphological characters of Pachypantheran. gen.,notably the large and powerful canine, the great robustness of the mandibular body, the very deep fossa for the m. masseter, the zigzag HSB enamel pattern, indicate bone-cracking capacities. The genus is unique among Felidae as it has one of the most powerful and robust mandibles ever found. Moreover, it may be the oldest known pantherine, as other Asian pantherines are dated back to the early Pliocene. The taxa we report here are the only carnivorans known from the late Miocene of Thailand. Although the material is rather scarce, it brings new insights to the evolutionary history of Neogene mammals of Southeast Asia, in a geographic place which is partly "terra incognita."

Macroevolutionary and macroecological response of Iberian rodents to late Neogene climatic oscillations and events

Biozones are routinely used for chronological purposes, but their nature is seldomly questioned. Here, we attempt to find the evolutionary-ecological basis for Iberian rodent biozones for the interval 8.5–2 Ma based on currently available paleontological, stratigraphic and paleoclimatic information. Our comparison of biozone boundary age uncertainty intervals to records of marine SST, δ18O and δ13C, terrestrial hydrological proxies and astronomical parameters suggests an orbitally forced climatic origin for the majority of biozones. Zone boundary ages during the late Miocene are mostly associated with humidity changes during 1.2-Myr obliquity nodes and 405-kyr eccentricity minima. Tectonics and strong regional cooling may additionally explain faunal change during the Messinian (7–5 Ma). A partly reversed pattern characterizes most Pliocene zone boundaries, which are mostly associated with wetter conditions during obliquity nodes and 405-kyr eccentricity maxima. A third configuration culminates in the early Pleistocene and consists of the combination of strong obliquity amplitude maxima and 2.4-Myr eccentricity minima. It is suggested that larger-scale, European Neogene mammal (MN) units have an astronomical basis as well, with an important role of 2.4-Myr eccentricity cycle and the 1.2-Myr obliquity cycle, with the latter becoming especially important after the mid-Miocene cooling (~14 Ma). Whereas rodent events on the Iberian Peninsula during the late Miocene are shaped by replacements within resident communities dominated by dry-adapted clades of true mice (Murinae) and hamsters (Cricetinae), transitions during the cooler Pliocene involve invasions of newly emerging Eurasian clades of ‘microtoid hamsters’ and voles (Arvicolinae) preferring wetter and cooler environments. A new model of stepwise clade displacement is proposed in which the combination of long-period Milankovitch cycles and gradual long-term climatic change allows for the periodic functioning of migration corridors, along which increasingly pervasive dispersal events by members of new clades cause the gradual extinction of old clades.

Fossil bovids from the Linxia Basin of Gansu Province, China, and their implications for regional biostratigraphy, palaeogeography and palaeoecology

Fossil bovids are key components of the Neogene mammal faunas in Eurasia, showing high diversity and rapid rates of evolution, with important implications for biostratigraphy and understanding past climate change. The Linxia Basin (Gansu Province, China) contains rich Miocene to Early Pleistocene bovid assemblages that provide an opportunity to study the evolution of this group. This paper reviews the fossil record of bovids in the Linxia Basin, which comprises more than 20 genera within seven tribes, spanning nine stratigraphic horizons and distributed across 43 fossil localities. Findings show that the diversity of fossil bovids in the Linxia Basin increased dramatically from the Early to Late Miocene but fell suddenly at the end of the Late Miocene before reaching a second peak in the Early Pleistocene. The Late Miocene mammal assemblages from the Linxia Basin may indicate somewhat younger age than previously thought based on fossil bovid comparisons. With diverse species and rich material, the bovids of the Linxia Basin present an excellent opportunity for further studies on morphology and adaptations within the group.

Chronological context, species occurrence, and environmental remarks on the Gelasian site Pedrera del Corral d’en Bruach (Barcelona, Spain) based on the small-mammal associations

ABSTRACT Here we present the results of a study of the small mammal assemblage recovered from a now disappeared karstic fissure located in a quarry called ‘Pedrera del Corral d’en Bruach’. The site was located at 330 m a.s.l. in the Garraf Massif, ca. 20 km south of Barcelona. An archaeological rescue excavation was conducted in 2006 by the Grup de Recerca del Quaternari, focusing on sieving the sediments that had accumulated at the foot of the quarry face. Fortunately, some faunal remains and sediment were recovered, which were later processed and sorted. Two hundred and seventy small mammal remains were identified at genus or species level, bringing to light 15 taxa. The assemblage is typical of the Mammal Neogene 17 (MN17) biozone, placing this site in the Gelasian stage of the Early Pleistocene. It is noteworthy that the first record of the glirid Glirulus pusillus in Iberia is documented. Based on the small mammals identified, the surrounding environment of the Garraf Massif is judged to have been characterised by open forest landscape and more humid environmental conditions than nowadays. Finally, the site provides a remarkable contribution to what is known of the Iberian small mammals of this time period.

Taxonomy and phylogeny of the smallest Miocene rhinocerotid Parvorhinus n. gen. (Mammalia, Rhinocerotidae)

Middle Miocene Rhinocerotini are particularly important to understand the origin and evolution of latest Miocene and then Plio-Pleistocene taxa. However, little is known about some early divergent Rhinocerotina such as ‘Dicerorhinus’ steinheimensis. A sample of a small-sized rhinocerotid from the Middle Miocene (Mammal Neogene Zone 6) locality of Devínska Nová Ves (Bratislava, Slovakia) is here described for the first time. The specimens consist of maxillae, fragment of mandibles and postcranial remains. The described specimens clearly differ from Middle Miocene representatives of elasmotheres, aceratheres and brachypotheres, but closely resemble the poorly known rhinocerotid ‘Dicerorhinus’ steinheimensis. A cladistic analysis shows that this taxon is related with the early divergent Rhinocerotina, such as Lartetotherium sansaniense and Gaindatherium browni, and it is distantly related with both Rhinoceros and Dicerorhinus. Considering the position and the peculiar morphological and morphometric features, such as smaller size with respect to other Rhinocerotini species, posterior border of the symphysis in front of p2, crochet always present on P2-P4, P1 always absent, protoloph interrupted on P2, lingual cingulum absent on M1-M2, posterior part of the ectoloph concave on M1-M2, ‘Dicerorhinus’ steinheimensis is here included in the new genus Parvorhinus.

A revised (earliest Vallesian) age for the hominoid-bearing locality of Can Mata 1 based on new magnetostratigraphic and biostratigraphic data from Abocador de Can Mata (Vallès-Penedès Basin, NE Iberian Peninsula)

The Abocador de Can Mata (ACM) composite stratigraphic sequence (els Hostalets de Pierola, Vallès-Penedès Basin, NE Iberian Peninsula) has yielded a diverse primate assemblage from the late Aragonian (Middle to Late Miocene). Detailed litho-, bio-, and magnetostratigraphic control has enabled an accurate dating of these fossil remains. Comparable data, however, were lacking for the nearby locality of Can Mata 1 (CM1), which yielded a dryopithecine canine of a female individual. Given the lack of hipparionin equids and giraffids, CM1 has been correlated to the latest Aragonian (Mammal Neogene [MN] zone MN7+8). Here we revise the age of CM1 based on fieldwork and associated paleomagnetic samplings undertaken in 2018–2021. Our results extend the ACM composite sequence upward and indicate that CM1 correlates to the earliest Vallesian (MN9). The updated ACM sequence has a thickness of ∼300 m and comprises 12 magnetozones correlated to subchrons C5Ar.1r to C5n.2n (∼12.6–11.1 Ma; latest MN6 to earliest MN9, late Aragonian to earliest Vallesian). CM1 is correlated to C5r.1r (11.146–11.056 Ma), with an interpolated age of 11.11 Ma, thus postdating the dispersal of hipparionin horses into the Vallès-Penedès Basin—which is correlated to the previous subchron C5r.1n, with an interpolated age of 11.18 Ma, and by definition marks the beginning of the Vallesian. CM1 also minimally postdates the earliest record of giraffids at ACM—representing their earliest well-dated occurrence in the basin—being correlated to C5r.1n with an interpolated age of 11.11 Ma. We conclude that CM1 has an earliest Vallesian (MN9) age of ∼11.1 Ma, intermediate between the Aragonian dryopithecins and the Vallesian hispanopithecins. Ongoing paleontological surveillance at ACM thus offers the prospect to yield additional earliest Vallesian ape remains, which are essential to clarify their taxonomic allocation as well as to confirm whether hispanopithecins evolved locally from dryopithecins rather than immigrating from elsewhere during MN9.

Old world hipparion evolution, biogeography, climatology and ecology

Nearly five decades ago Berggren and Van Couvering proposed an Old World “Hipparion Datum” wherein a North American Hipparion extended its range across Eurasia and Africa as an “instantaneous prochoresis” populating the Old World. Four decades ago Woodburne and Bernor examined European and North African hipparion assemblages and proposed a number of distinct hipparion lineages, sharply departing from the mono-generic paradigm of previous work. Through the 1980s until now, hipparion systematic studies have delineated multiple superspecific groups of hipparions. Herein, we define 10 recognizable genus-rank Eurasian and African taxa delineating their chronologic occurrences, geographic extent and where data exists, their body mass and paleodietary preferences. Our study supports the current interpretation that a species of North American Cormohipparion extended its range into the Old World in the early late Miocene. Regional first occurrences of Cormohipparion are recognized in the Potwar Plateau, Pakistan and Sinap Tepe, Turkey 10.8 Ma. The slightly derived lineage Hippotherium is recorded earlier in the Pannonian C of the Vienna Basin, 11.4–11.0 Ma marking the chronologic “Hipparion” Datum at the lower boundary of Mammal Neogene (MN) Unit 9. Within MN 9, 11.2–9.9 Ma, Cormohipparion underwent a minor diversification whereas Hippotherium diversified in Central and Western Europe and China and Sivalhippus (S. nagriensis) originated in the Indian Subcontinent. Whereas Cormohipparion did not survive into the late Vallesian, MN10 (9.9–8.9 Ma), Hippotherium and Sivalhippus did and the Cremohipparion and Hipparion s.s. lineages originated. During the early and middle Turolian (MN11–12, 8.9–6.8 Ma) Hippotherium, Sivalhippus, Cremohipparion and Hipparion persisted and new lineages, Eurygnathohippus, Plesiohipparion, Baryhipparion and Shanxihippus originated. An initial extinction interval occurred at the end of the Miocene, MN13 (6.8–5.3 Ma) wherein all but one endemic species of Hippotherium, H. malpassi (Italy), Hipparion and several species of Cremohipparion became extinct. Lineage and species reduction continued across the Mio-Pliocene boundary so that by the beginning of the Pliocene (MN14, 5.3 Ma) only African species of Eurygnathohippus, Chinese Plesiohipparion houfenense and Proboscidipparion sinense remained. The later Pliocene (MN15–16, ca. 5.0–2.5 Ma) documents the persistence of endemic Chinese Baryhipparion insperatum, modest diversification of African Eurygnatohippus spp. and Chinese Plesiohipparion and Proboscidipparion spp. Eurygnathohippus made a limited geographic extension into the Indian subcontinent during MN16, whereas Pleisohipparion and Proboscidipparion extended their ranges into Eurasia during MN15 and MN16. The latest occurring hipparions are Proboscidipparion sinense at 1.0 Ma in China and Eurygnathohippus cornelianus in Africa <1.0 Ma. Old World hipparion lineages early on increased their body mass in MN9. During the Turolian interval (MN11–13) hipparion lineages diversified their body mass from very small (<100 kg) to heavy forms (>300 kg), with the smaller forms being predominately grass feeders and larger ones being mixed feeders. Decreased hipparion lineage and species diversity in the Pliocene was accompanied by increased average body size and hypsodonty probably in response to more seasonal Eurasian and African environments. There is no evidence that hipparions ever adapted to cold and dry Old World Pleistocene environments.

Late early Miocene mammals from Laguna del Laja, Cura-Mallín Formation, south-central Chile (~37°S) and their biogeographical and paleoenvironmental significance

Despite recent efforts, the diversity of Neogene mammals in Chile remains poorly known, with several presumed new taxa awaiting description. For example, previous studies have suggested that the early to late Miocene mammalian assemblages from the Laguna del Laja fossiliferous locality (Cura-Mallín and Trapa-Trapa formations), in the Andean Cordillera of south-central Chile (~37°), comprise dozens of undescribed taxa. Therefore, a better understanding of the Laguna del Laja faunal taxonomic affinities is needed, especially because the region holds one of the few known localities spanning from early to late Miocene in Chile. Dozens of mammal specimens recently recovered in late early Miocene beds of the Cura-Mallín Formation at Laguna del Laja are described and illustrated, and a discussion of their biogeographical and paleoenvironmental significance is provided. We recognize the presence of at least 17 taxa, including some potential new ones (e.g., Maruchito sp. nov.?) and others recognized in Chile for the first time (e.g., Galileomys). Geochronological (17.7–16.4 Ma) and biostratigraphical data indicate that this fauna correlates well with the Santacrucian SALMA, contributing to filling the gap in the taxonomic composition of Santacrucian mammalian assemblages in Chile and southwestern of South America. However, it is noteworthy that Laguna del Laja has documented some taxa previously found only in older (Colhuehuapian) and younger (Colloncuran) ages. Finally, the faunal assemblage supports a paleoenvironmental reconstruction of mixed forested and open habitats, likely with the predominance of the former, in the region during the late early Miocene and a widely distributed Santacrucian fauna throughout southern South America in both intra-arc and foreland basins.

Dragon bones from the heavens: European explorations and early palaeontology in Zanda Basin of Tibet, retracing type locality of Qurliqnoria hundesiensis and Hipparion (Plesiohipparion) zandaense

ABSTRACT More than 200 years since its initial exploration, Zanda Basin, a high-elevation (3,800–4,500 m above sea), intermountain basin at the foothills of the Himalaya, is the site to some of the earliest fossil discoveries, including the holotype of extinct Tibetan antelope, Qurliqnoria hundesiensis. These fossils also hold the record, in 1823, as the first vertebrate fossils from Tibet in the scientific literature. Unfortunately, these tantalising early records have become all but forgotten for more than 100 years due to a lack of information about their localities. Our recent explorations in the 2000s revive the interests in Zanda Basin and establish a unique Zanda mammal assemblage important in the evolution of Tibetan Neogene mammals. In this paper, we retrace the expedition routes by early explorers and attempt to establish, to the extent possible, the type locality of two key mammals in the Zanda fauna: Q. hundesiensis and Hipparion (Plesiohipparion) zandaense. We highlight the pivotal role Zanda fossil mammals play in the early discourse of mountain building, climate change, and mammal adaptation in high Himalaya, more than a hundred years before Chinese palaeontologists made a similar argument upon the discovery of three-toed horses, in the 1980s, at different basins in Tibet.

Late early Miocene caviomorph rodents from Laguna del Laja (~37° S), Cura-Mallín Formation, south-central Chile

Despite recent efforts, the paleodiversity of the Neogene mammals in Chile remains poorly known, with several putative new species awaiting description. For example, previous studies suggest that the early to late Miocene mammalian assemblages from the Laguna del Laja fossiliferous locality (Cura-Mallín and Trapa-Trapa formations), which crop out in the Andean Cordillera of Chile (~37°), comprise dozens of undescribed taxa. A better understanding of the taxonomic affinities of the Laguna del Laja faunas is needed, as it represents one of the few faunas known from the early to late? Miocene of the south-central Andean main range. Several specimens of caviomorphs recently recovered in late early Miocene beds of the Cura-Mallín Formation at Laguna del Laja are here described in detail, and a brief discussion of their chronological, biogeographical, and paleoenvironmental significance is also provided. Based on fragments of mandible, maxilla and isolated teeth five taxa were recognized, Phanomys mixtus Ameghino, Prolagostomus sp., Neoreomys sp., Maruchito nov. sp.?, and Luantus sompallwei nov. sp. The radiometric ages of the fossil-bearing horizons, constrained between 17.7 and 16.4 Ma, as well as the common species (P. mixtus) and genera (Prolagostomus and Neoreomys) indicate that the fauna here reported belongs to the Santacrucian SALMA. Finally, our finding preliminary suggests the predominance of rather open habitats in the Cura-Mallín Formation during this time, but also a widely distributed late Early Miocene caviomorph fauna along the southern Andes, in both intra-arc and foreland basins.

Evolution of the carnivoran (Carnivora, Mammalia) guild structure across the Middle/Upper Miocene boundary in Germany

We analyse the evolution of carnivoran guilds (body mass, locomotor pattern, and diet preference) across the Middle to Upper Miocene boundary based on a comparison of the carnivoran fauna from Steinheim (Mammal Neogene zone MN 7/8; Servallian to early Tortonian), and from the Eppelsheim Formation (Mammal Neogene zone MN 9/10; mid-Tortonian), Germany. Results reveal a massive faunal turnover between these two communties due to taxonomic differences up to the family level. Guild structures of both carnivoran faunas were similar, implying that Late Miocene taxa replaced Middle Miocene taxa in their respective niches rather than new ecological strategies being added to the guild. This is not surprising, as (1) the majority of Late Miocene taxa were derived from European Middle Miocene ancestors and mostly share their paleoecology, (2) of the few undisputed Late Miocene immigrant taxa (Eomellivora, Simocyon, Sivaonyx), only Eomellivora adds new ecological strategies to the guild, and (3) both faunas occupied the same kind of partly open woodland paleoenvironment. Our paper supports previous studies, suggesting that ecological diversity remains stable across the Middle to Upper Miocene boundary and that similar environments produce similar carnivoran guild structures irrespective of taxonomical composition.

Revision of the plant assemblage of Steinheim am Albuch (Baden- W&amp;uuml;rttemberg, Germany, middle Miocene, reference locality of Mammal Neogene Zone MN 7)

Revision of the plant assemblage of Steinheim am Albuch (Baden- W&amp;uuml;rttemberg, Germany, middle Miocene, reference locality of Mammal Neogene Zone MN 7)

FOSSO DELLA FITTAIA: THE OLDEST TUSCO-SARDINIAN LATE MIOCENE ENDEMIC VERTEBRATE ASSEMBLAGES (BACCINELLO-CINIGIANO BASIN, TUSCANY, ITALY)

The late Miocene continental successions of the Baccinello-Cinigiano basin (Grosseto), one of the longest and most continuous vertebrate-bearing continental successions in the Neogene Italian record, yielded at least four superimposed vertebrate assemblages bracketed in the time span 8.3 - 6.4 Ma. The Baccinello-Cinigiano basin is famous for recording endemic vertebrate assemblages that include the youngest European Miocene hominoid, Oreopithecus bambolii . The late Miocene endemic vertebrate fauna known as the Baccinello V0 assemblage is the oldest vertebrate fauna within the Baccinello-Cinigiano basin succession, being correlated to the European mammal Neogene unit MN11. Recent field surveys along the Trasubbie river allowed studying in detail the basal Baccinello-Cinigiano sedimentary succession, and sampling fossiliferous level bearing microvertebrates along the small creek Fosso della Fittaia. The sample “Fosso della Fittaia 2013” yielded about 170 fossil remains improving our documentation of the oldest vertebrate assemblages from the Baccinello-Cinigian basin. As far as rodents are concerned, in addition to the already recognized murid Huerzelerimys and glirid Anthracoglis , a few dental remains are assigned to a new genus and species of giant dormouse. It is further worth noting the occurrence in the sample of shrew remains (the first described from the Baccinello-Cinigiano basin) identified as cf. Lartetium . The latter attests the presence of a crocidosoricine in the Fosso della Fittaia 2013 assemblage, postdating the youngest known occurrences of the subfamily by at least 1 my. The vertebrate assemblage is completed by a diverse herpetofauna and the first fish remains reported from the basin.

Neogene Mammal Sites in Molina de Aragón (Guadalajara, Spain): Correlation to Other Karstic Sites of the Iberian Chain, and their Geoheritage Values

Corral de Lobato, a karstic site in the area of Molina de Aragon has been studied in a preliminary way. Even though there are not many Neogene karstic sites in the Iberian Chain, they occur in four clusters, with ages ranging from latest middle Miocene (MN7/8) to early Pleistocene (MN17). Correlations between these clusters and the reference stratigraphical units of the Tagus Basin, as well as with local and global events, are proposed. These karstic sites provide a complementary source of fossil vertebrate remains to that of the stratified sites formed lowland. The Heritage significance of such sites arises from the enhanced preservation of rare taxa or associations, and the operation of biotic concentrative processes.

The rise and fall of the Old World savannah fauna and the origins of the African savannah biome.

Despite much interest in the ecology and origins of the extensive grassland ecosystems of the modern world, the biogeographic relationships of savannah palaeobiomes of Africa, India and mainland Eurasia have remained unclear. Here we assemble the most recent data from the Neogene mammal fossil record in order to map the biogeographic development of Old World mammalian faunas in relation to palaeoenvironmental conditions. Using genus-level faunal similarity and mean ordinated hypsodonty in combination with palaeoclimate modelling, we show that savannah faunas developed as a spatially and temporally connected entity that we term the Old World savannah palaeobiome. The Old World savannah palaeobiome flourished under the influence of middle and late Miocene global cooling and aridification, which resulted in the spread of open habitats across vast continental areas. This extensive biome fragmented into Eurasian and African branches due to increased aridification in North Africa and Arabia during the late Miocene. Its Eurasian branches had mostly disappeared by the end of the Miocene, but the African branch survived and eventually contributed to the development of Plio-Pleistocene African savannah faunas, including their early hominins. The modern African savannah fauna is thus a continuation of the extensive Old World savannah palaeobiome.

Geological setting and transition of the Neogene mammal fauna in central Myanmar

Geological setting and transition of the Neogene mammal fauna in central Myanmar

The tangled cases of Deinogalerix (Late Miocene endemic erinaceid of Gargano) and Galericini (Eulipotyphla, Erinaceidae): a cladistic perspective.

The Late Miocene giant erinaceid Deinogalerix from Scontrone and Gargano (Italy) is associated with many other vertebrates in deposits of a past island, the "Abruzzo-Apulia Platform". At Gargano, Deinogalerix is accompanied by the moderately endemized Galericini Apulogalerix. This first extensive cladistic analysis is aimed at defining the relationships of Deinogalerix with characteristic members of the tribe Galericini. The analysis was performed on a matrix of 30 characters and 19 taxa and identified some smaller clades, nested within three major ones. The latter include: (i) a pentatomy of Galerix species, (ii) a polytomy of "transitional" Galerix-Parasorex species and (iii) a large clade with Parasorex, Schizogalerix and Gargano representatives. Galerix and Parasorex proved to be paraphyletic and Schizogalerix monophyletic. Based on the results of the analysis, Deinogalerix and Apulogalerix have distinct origins, which supports an asynchronous colonization of the island. The line of Deinogalerix possibly stemmed from some eastern species transitional between Galerix and Parasorex around Mammal Neogene (MN) zone 2. Conversely, the line of Apulogalerix originated from a primitive Parasorex ibericus, or a close relative, around MN 9-10. Another important result was detecting an impressive early Miocene (MN 2?) radiation of Galericini. Moreover, Schizogalerix and Parasorex originated from eastern Galericini morphologically transitional between Galerix and Parasorex.