Palaeoreas,Majoreas, and Stryfnotherium gen. nov. (Mammalia: Artiodactyla: Bovidae) from the Late Miocene of Greece

A new comparative study of the two crania, LGPUT RZO-03 and LGPUT RZO-68 attributed to Palaeoreas zouavei Bouvrain, 1980 from the Late Miocene of Axios Valley, Greece reveals great morphological and metric differences between them, which require the exclusion of LGPUT RZO-68 from this species and even from Palaeoreas Gaudry, 1861. This decision leaves unsupported many diagnostic features of P. zouavei applied by previous authors and along with recent data from Bulgaria put in doubt the validity of P. zouavei as a whole. As a result, the genus Palaeoreas is re-defined as monotypic and the cranial morphometric changes of P. lindermayeri (Wagner, 1848) are discussed on a temporal basis. An updated taxonomic analysis confirms the presence of P. lindermayeri in the Late Turolian mammal assemblage of Dytiko-1 (Axios Valley, Greece) but rejects its occurrence at Dytiko-2. Instead, a re-examination of old cranial specimens and a study of new ones suggest the presence in both sites of Majoreas Kostopoulos, 2004 a Late Miocene taxon previously mostly known from the eastern banks of the Aegean Sea. A reassessment of the LGPUT RZO-68 cranium, and its comparison with Palaeoreas and Criotherium Forsyth-Major, 1891, suggests that it deserves taxonomic distinction at genus and species levels: Stryfnotherium exophthalmon.     

The late Miocene mammals from the Konservat-Lagerstätte of Saint-Bauzile (Ardèche,France)

Diatomite deposits of Saint-Bauzile near Privas (Ardèche) in southern France have been known since more than two centuries for abundant and extremely well-preserved fossils of plants and animals. The radiometric dating brackets fossil-bearing horizons between 7.2 and 7.6 Ma, which is consistent with the biochronologic age given by fossil mammals, which are characteristics of the late MN11 zone, i.e. the second part of the late Miocene. The main interest of this site for mammals is that they are preserved almost “in the flesh”, as entire skeletons with bones in their anatomical connection, and often with skin and fur charred and forming a halo around the body. In this work, we studied the remains of a lagomorph, two rodents, an equid, a suid, a bovid and a rhino. The mode of preservation of mammals as entire bodies suggests sudden death and rapid burial of individuals.     

First fossil record of the catfish genus Sorubim (Siluriformes,Pimelodidae), from the Late Miocene of Paraná, Northeastern Argentina

The aim of the present contribution is to describe a partial fossil skull belonging to the catfish genus Sorubim. The specimen originates from the Late Miocene Ituzaingó Formation, at Paraná locality, Entre Ríos Province, Argentina. The material described here (MACN Pv-14224) was determined just to genus because the living species of Sorubim are morphologically similar. Presence of Sorubim is in concordance with the hypothesis indicating that most extant pimelodid genera were already present by the Late Miocene. Present finding constitutes the first fossil record for the genus.     

Les faunes de mammifères Miocènes du Haut-Armagnac (Gers,France): Les Gliridés (Mammalia,Rodentia)

Gliridae's populations found i twelve quarry in theGers (from «Zone d'Estrepouy to «zone de Sansan) are described and figured in this paper. Their phyletic relations are precised and a paleoecological approach is suggested. One new taxa of provable lineage (Paraglis infralactorensis nov. sp.) is created.     

The scimitar-toothed cat Machairodus aphanistus (Carnivora: Felidae) in the Vallès-Penedès Basin (NE Iberian Peninsula)

Here, we revise all the published and unpublished scimitar-toothed cat remains from the Vallès-Penedès Basin (NE Iberian Peninsula), in order to confirm their taxonomic attribution to Machairodus aphanistus as well as to provide more precise information about its chronological distribution in this basin. The studied material (including dentognathic as well as postcranial remains) comes from the following localities: Can Mata indeterminate (late MN7+8 or MN9), Creu Conill 22 (MN9), Can Poncic 1 (MN9), Can Llobateres 1 (MN9), Santiga (MN9), La Tarumba 1 (MN10), Viladecavalls (MN10), Ronda Oest Sabadell ROS-D3 (MN10), and Torrent de Febulines (MN10). Most of the studied material fits well with the morphologic and metrical features characteristic of the Vallesian species M. aphanistus, with the exception of the remains from Creu Conill 22 (an undescribed partial P4 formerly attributed to this taxon), which belongs in fact to a medium-sized hyaenid. From a biostratigraphic viewpoint, the removal of the Creu Conill material from the hypodigm of M. aphanistus has important implications, because this locality (11.1 Ma) was considered to record the first appearance datum of this taxon in the Vallès-Penedès Basin. However, the report of a previously unpublished talus from Can Mata (late MN7+8 or MN9) indicates that this taxon was present in this basin at least by the earliest Vallesian. Therefore, our results indicate that the first appearance datum of Machairodus in the Vallès-Penedès Basin might be somewhat younger than previously assumed, although dating uncertainties for the Can Mata remains preclude a more precise assessment. In contrast, the new mandibular remains from ROS-D3 (MN10) are likely coeval with those from La Tarumba 1, with the last appearance datum of M. aphanistus in the Vallès-Penedès Basin corresponding to Torrent de Febulines (ca. 9.1 Ma). The postcranial material described from various Vallès-Penedès localities further indicates that M. aphanistus displayed less cursorial adaptations than its purported descendant Homotherium.     

Les ostracodes plio-pléistocènes de la côte orientale de la Péninsule du Cap Bon (Tunisie)

This article concerns the study of the ostracods of the Upper Pliocene-Lower Pleistocene sedimentary deposits cropping out along the south-eastern coast of the Cape Bon Peninsula (Tunisia, Hammamet region, Sidi Khelas section). Fourteen samples were taken along a thirty-two-meters thick sedimentary silico-clastic series. Seventy species of ostracods belonging to twenty-four genera were found. The autochthonous association, which originally lived in an environment located in the infralittoral and upper circalittoral stages of the benthic marine domain, is cyclically affected by inputs from the more superficial environments due to the presence of relatively well-developed lagoon and/or estuary environments in the surrounding coastal areas. Within the ostracod association, the presence of Bythocythere turgida – a true “northern guest” – is particularly significant. This species indicates that these sediments were deposited during the cold phases of the Early Pleistocene. Among the ostracods found, those belonging to the families Trachyleberididae, Hemicytheridae and Bythocytheridae, which are dominant and include particularly significant species from the environmental and paleoclimatic point of view, are systematically recorded and commented on. Some species that are probably new have been described and photographed, but are currently left in open nomenclature because of how few specimens have been found.     

Systematic revision of Siwalik Rhizomyidae (Rodentia)

Larges samples of fossil rhizomyids from the Siwalikmolasse deposits of the Potwar Plateau, Pakistan, enable reevaluation of fossil taxa and their evolutionary relationships. Siwalik Rhizomyidae constitute a basis for analysis of poorly represented rhizomyids from other areas in Asia and contribute to biochronological correlation. The extant Tachyoryctinae and Rhizomyinae diverged during the early history of the family and diagnoses of the subfamilies are amended to include extinct genera. Siwalik tachyoryctines include Kanisamys, Protachyoryctes, Rhizomyides, and Eicooryctes nov. gen.; rhizomyines are Brachyrhizomys and Anepsirhizomys nov. gen. Kanisamys, the earliest Siwalik rhizomyid, appeared by about 13 Ma and evolved slowly, displaying stasis in K. sivalensis. Brachyrhizomys evolved from Kanisamys by 9.5 Ma and radiated rapidly. B. nagrii displays rapid increase in size through time. About 7 Ma, Kanisamys and Brachyrhizomys became extinct locally and Protachyoryctes, Eicooryctes, and Rhizomyides appeared, perhaps in response to increasing aridity. After 5.5 Ma, rhizomyids became uncommon in the Potwar and Anepsirhizomys (3.0 Ma) constitutes the latest record of Rhizomyidae in Pakistan.     

The Late Miocene coldspot of z-coral diversity in the Mediterranean: Patterns and causes

The Late Miocene distribution and diversity of zooxanthellate-like corals in the Mediterranean are analyzed in their paleobiogeographical framework, using our REEFCORAL database. The Late Miocene Mediterranean pool reached 20 z-coral genera. Although this fauna could build flourishing reef ecosystems during the Early Messinian, it was a relict fauna with severely limited speciation that lived on the edge of its ecological requirements in terms of solar energy and temperature range. Most z-coral genera, because they had long stratigraphic ranges and had survived previous extinctions, were able to adapt to the Messinian environments, which were unusual for such biotas. Hence, Porites, the most widespread genus in the region and also the most dominant in ecological assemblages, was the best equipped to cope with the drastic changes related to the Messinian Salinity Crisis.     

The fossil American lion (Panthera atrox) in South America: Palaeobiogeographical implications

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, authors described several specimens belonging to a very large felid, the size of a lion, from some Late Pleistocene localities at southern Chile and Argentina. These remains were considered as belonging to large and now extinct subspecies of jaguar. In the present contribution based on qualitative and quantitative postcranial and cranial characters, we conclude that that the “Patagonian Panthera” should be considered as representing remains of the American Cave Lion Panthera atrox. Evidence at hand indicates that Panthera atrox was a very large lion-like felid, with reddish skin, that inhabited dry open habitats. Furthermore, in contrast to living jaguars, transported and accumulated its preys in rocky dens. The presence of at least two pantherine lineages (i.e. P. onca and P. atrox) in the Pleistocene of South America indicates that the lineage has a long and complex history in the New World, and that the history of the clade in this landmass is still far from being well understood.     

Origines du peuplement mammalien en Afrique du Nord durant le miocène terminal

The late Miocene North African mammalianassemblage is considered here from three viewpoints: survivals, extinctions, and immigrations. The Eurasiatic affinities of the large mammals slightly prevail over the Ethiopian affinities. Amongst the North African large mammals, 4 to 8 taxa are Eurasiatic immigrants, while 4 to 6 are of Subsaharian origin. Contrarily, the micromammalian fauna is highly endemic, with only one species, a murid (Paraethomys miocaenicus), considered here as being related to an Asiatic form (Karnimata darwini). Our study of Eurasian and African Miocene faunas reveals that during the late Astaracian-early Turolian interval, the Saharo-Arabic belt permitted very little latitudinal faunal exchanges. However, during the middle and late Turolian such faunal exchanges became frequent. The micromammal record unequivocally indicates that a brief period of faunal exchange occurred between Africa and western Europe at the end of the Miocene, corresponding with the Messinian Salinity Crisis. The increased intercontinental faunal exchange between Africa and Eurasia during the late Miocene coincides with, and counterbalances the extinction of more than 10 taxa at the Mio/Pliocene boundary.     

De l’origine des anthropoïdes à l’émergence de la famille humaine

The human lineage has a very ancient origin, as most of the mammals. Its oldest representatives, anthropoid primates, have been described from Asia some 45 million years ago. During this long evolutionary story, two critical stages have appeared as especially important, their beginning in Asia and the emergence of hominids in Africa, some seven million years ago. These two stages are discussed hereby with new data relative to their Asian origins and their dispersal into Africa between 45 and 40 million years ago. Following this dispersal event, these primates evolved in Africa and gave rise to the early hominids. These appeared around seven million years ago and have three distinct representatives. Among them, Toumaï appears as the oldest and the closest to our ancestry, a point that is evidenced here.     

Which predators are responsible for faunal accumulations at the Late Pleistocene layers of El Harhoura 2 Cave (Témara,Morocco)?

El Harhoura 2 cave (Témara, Morocco) has yielded Aterian and Iberomaurusian lithic artifacts associated with faunal remains. Both humans and carnivores occupied this cave and non-human predator modifications occurred mainly at the end of the Late Pleistocene. Diverse faunal taxa have been identified, with a predominance of gazelles and various carnivores, particularly canids. The location of the cave and of the excavation area, at the bottom of a cliff of low elevation and in the entrance of the cave, does not correspond to a protected area for large raptor nests or a natural trap. Considering the consumed species, the type of carnivore remains, the skeletal representation of prey, taphonomic alterations such as tooth marks, semi-digested bones and destruction sequences, large canids would be the main cause for faunal modifications. However, North African fossil data attributed to hyena activities present similar results. This paper highlights the difficulty of discriminating between potential accumulators/consumers due to a lack of taphonomic reference data. This study thus demonstrates the necessity of compiling fossil records and neotaphonomic reference data for North African medium-large predators in order to better understand the taphonomic history of North African archaeological and paleontological sites.     

Fossil bats from the Late Pleistocene site of the Aguilón P7 Cave (Zaragoza,Spain)

Bats (Chiroptera, Mammalia) are a valuable and independent source of palaeoenvironmental information in Quaternary sites because bat assemblages are not necessarily produced by the same processes as those of other small mammals. Here, we report a small collection of bats (MNI 15) from a cave infill of the Aguilón P7 (AGP-7) site (Zaragoza, Spain) dated Late Pleistocene (MIS 3). This is one of the rare localities south of the Ebro River (right bank) with Neanderthal tracks; therefore, the palaeoenvironmental data provided here may help us to understand Neanderthal history. Nine bat taxa were identified, viz. Rhinolophus ferumequinum, R. hipposideros, Myotis gr. myotis/blythii, M. cf. bechsteinii, M. emarginatus, M. daubentonii, Plecotus gr. auritus/austriacus, Hipsugo savii vel. Pipistrellus kuhlii/nathusii, and Miniopterus schreibersii. The presence of a high number of yearlings of the former four species suggests the presence of breeding colonies. The surprisingly high diversity of the sample indicates a variegated vegetation cover and relatively high humidity for the MIS 3 stage in the region.     

Comparative observations on some middle and upper miocenehyaenids,Genera: PercrocutaKretzoi, AllohyaenaKretzoi, AdcrocutaKretzoi (Mammalia,Carnivora, Hyaenidae)

This study deals with the «percrocutoid hyaenids,present in Eurasia and in Africa in faunas of late Middle Miocene (Astaracian) to terminal Miocene (Vallesian, Turolian) age. These hyaenid species are characterized by certain dental apomorphies (loss of M^2/2, specialization of the carnassials P⁴/M₁, tendency for the hypertrophy of the anterior premolars) which differentiate them from other hyaenids with which they are found associated. In recent literature, these hyaenids have been attributed to the genera PercrocutaKretzoi and AdcrocutaKretzoi, the latter of which is monospecific. In fact some should be removed from the genus Percrocuta and assigned to the genus AllohyaenaKretzoi, itself subdivided into the two subgenera, AllohyaenaKretzoi and DinocrocutaSchmidt-Kittler. The genus Adcrocuta is retained and the characters which distinguish this genus from HyaenictisGaudry are discussed.This study is based on revision of all, or nearly allsuch specimens, described and figured or in collections, of which certain among them have been hardly or poorly known. Particular attention has been given to their geologic age and their distribution in Neogene mammalian faunas (Mein's zones). Their apomorphies, considered in relation to their temporal distributions, permit an interpretation of the phylogenetic relationships of their several lineages which is consistant with the proposed systematic revision of the group.The radiation of «percrocutoid hyaenids would appear to have occurred in three phases. At the beginning of the Astaracian, after the dispersal of Anchitherium, the genus Percrocuta appeared with several species of relatively small size; in Eurasia this genus does not seem to have persisted after the middle Astaracian, although it did so in the sub-Himalayan Siwaliks. At the end of the Astaracian it was apparently succeeded by the genus Allohyaena, and resulting in gigantic forms (subgenus Dinocrocuta) coincident in Eurasia and in Africa with the extension of Hipparion. The third phase of the radiation is represented by the genus Adcrocuta, which unlike the others, was monospecific. This single species, A. eximia, occurs initially, and very rarely in the upper Vallesian; however, in the middle Turolian it is common and widespread throughout Eurasia where it, perhaps, limited the expansion of Dinocrocuta.