Rodents, insectivores and chiropterans (Mammalia) from the late Aragonian of Can Missert (Middle Miocene, Vallès-Penedès Basin, Spain)

In this paper, the insectivores, chiropterans and rodents from the middle Miocene site of Can Missert are described. The faunal list of this locality includes the following species: Miosorex grivensis, Desmanella sp., Talpidae indet., Vespertilionidae indet., Hispanomys daamsi, Megacricetodon minor, Megacricetodon ibericus, Fahlbuschia crusafonti, Democricetodon brevis nemoralis, Eumyarion medium, Muscardinus hispanicus, Eomuscardinus sp., Paraglirulus werenfelsi and Spermophilinus bredai. H. daamsi is a new Cricetodontine species which is characterized by complete ectolophs and relatively long third lower molars. The rodent association of Can Missert enable one to assign this locality to the late Aragonian, MN 8, being close in age to other localities in the Vallès-Penedès Basin such as Castell de Barberà. However, the proportion in which each species is represented is very different in the two cases. This evidence points to the existence climatic pulses at the end of the Aragonian Mammal-Stage.     

A new well-preserved ostracod fauna from the middle Burdigalian (lower Miocene) of the North Alpine Foreland Basin

The marine middle Burdigalian sediments of the North Alpine Foreland Basin (NAFB) or Molasse Basin are well known for abundant occurrences of benthic foraminifers and ostracods. However, taxonomic studies of ostracod assemblages are comparatively rare and, given its abundance, the group remains heavily understudied. Here we report a new, rich and well-preserved ostracod fauna from the middle Burdigalian Neuhofen Formation at Mitterdorf, in the northeastern part of the NAFB. The material comprises a total of 3029 ostracod specimens. We identified 44 species; all species are described and, with one exception, illustrated. Our material reveals the presence of 17 ostracod species that were previously unknown from the middle Burdigalian in the NAFB, i.e., Cytherella aff. vulgatella, Cytherella aff. méhesi, Bairdoppilata aff. subdeltoidea, Paranesidea? sp., Paracypris aff. aerodynamica, Parakrithe dactylomorpha, Pseudopsammocythere sp., Callistocythere daedalea, Costa aff. reticulata, Ruggieria aff. longecarenata, Heliocythere aff. vejhonensis, Heliocythere sp., Loxocorniculum hastatum, Neocytherideis cypria, Cytheretta cf. tenuipunctata dentata, Cytheropteron cf. ruggierii, and Semicytherura resecta. The palaeobiogeography of the ostracods indicates a relatively open marine Burdigalian connection between the NAFB and the Mediterranean Sea, in agreement with previous work. Our data also suggest that a significant degree of endemism existed in the middle Burdigalian sea of the NAFB, of which previous studies yielded only sparse signs. Moreover, our results indicate that some ostracod species survived the late Burdigalian sea retreat from the NAFB by dispersing eastward into the adjacent regions (Vienna Basin, Carpathian Foredeep), where marine conditions still prevailed. A compilation of all known middle Burdigalian ostracod faunas from the NAFB documents a high species diversity, with over 120 species. Their spatial distribution, with many species being restricted to a single site, suggests heterogenous microhabitats, possibly influenced by small-scale differences in water depth, nutrient availability and oxygenation.     

Early Miocene repetitive vegetation and climatic changes in the lacustrine deposits of the Rubielos de Mora Basin (Teruel, NE Spain)

Pollen analysis of a Lower Miocene succession from the Rubielos de Mora Basin (NE Spain) has been carried out with the aim of reconstructing the flora, vegetation and climatic changes. Previous paleobotanical studies on these sedimentary rocks and adjacent areas interpreted very diverse climates for the Early Miocene: from humid temperate to dry subtropical. In this study, a rich thermophilous pollen spectrum and a diverse subarid flora including Nitraria, Caesalpiniaceae, Ephedra and Acacia, indicative of a dry subtropical climate are identified. On the other hand, mesothermic taxa with high water requirements are also abundant. Therefore, the pollen assemblages evidence the juxtaposition of very contrasted environments: the presence of subdesertic taxa, typical of plants growing in the lowlands and conditioned by a long warm, dry season, together with others with very high water requirements, needing constant water. This can be explained by the presence of the Rubielos de Mora Lake providing local conditions for developing riparian forests. The vegetation was clearly controlled by the water availability under a subtropical and dry-seasonal climate. Pollen changes along the succession, which coincide with sedimentological changes, are related to climatic variations. Alternation in pollen taxa (thermophilous–dry vs. mesothermic–riparian) reflects the influence of the cyclicity of temperature and precipitation on the lake level and vegetation.     

Pliocene Ilyocyprididae (Ostracoda) from the Ebro Basin (N. Spain)

A revision of the Pliocene representatives of the Ilyocyprididae genera Ilyocypris Brady and Norman, 1889, and Qinghaicypris Huang, 1979, obtained from lacustrine sediments of the Villarroya section (La Rioja, N. Spain) is presented in this work. Based on carapace morphology and morphometrics, the occurrence in Europe of the genus Qinghaicypris is discussed. This genus is represented in this material by a new species, Qinghaicypris riojensis nov. sp., which is described herein. The occurrence of Ilyocypris and Qinghaicypris within the lacustrine series of Villarroya is analysed in relation to the hydrological evolution of the water bodies, which were very likely climatically driven. Palaeoecological as well as palaeobiogeographical interest of those genera is pointed out in the context of the aquatorium that spread over big areas of Europe during the Pliocene.     

Biostratigraphy and sedimentary evolution of Late Miocene and Pliocene continental deposits of the Granada Basin (southern Spain)

The Late Miocene and Pliocene continental sediments in the Granada Basin (southern Spain) have yielded large amounts of fossil small mammals in 37 localities from 11 sections. The aim of this paper is to integrate faunistic, stratigraphic, and sedimentary criteria to unravel the geological history of the continental infilling of the basin. The palaeontological study has led to a detailed biozonation on the basis of rodents, which helps to correlate in detail the different sedimentary units found in the basin, and to follow the changes of the different sedimentary systems and their palaeogeographical evolution through time. Combination of the proposed biostratigraphy and the reinterpretation of the magnetostratigraphic analyses of the Barranco del Purcal section allows us to assign an absolute age slightly older than 5.23 Ma to the Turolian–Ruscinian boundary (MN13‐MN14).     

Amphibians and reptiles from the Early Miocene of the Bardenas Reales of Navarre (Ebro Basin, Iberian Peninsula)

The Lower Miocene deposits of the Bardenas Reales of Navarre (NW Ebro Basin, northern Iberian Peninsula) have yielded a diverse vertebrate fauna, including remains of amphibians and reptiles. These remains occur in several localities in the Tudela Formation. The fossiliferous levels belong to the Biozones MN2b-3 (Biozones Z-A of the Ramblian, i.e., Late Aquitanian to Early Burdigalian in age). The amphibians and reptiles represent at least 13 out of 37 vertebrate species. Amphibians consist of a salamandrid urodele and two or three anurans. All the turtles are cryptodirans and consist of the chelydrid Chelydropsis apellanizi, the testudinids Ptychogaster (Temnoclemmys) bardenensis and Ptychogaster ronheimensis, and a Trionychinae indet. Squamates are represented by the anguid lizard Ophisaurus sp., a non-anguid lacertilian, an amphisbaenian, the erycine boid? Eryx sp., and indeterminate colubrids. Crocodilian remains are assigned to the basal alligatoroid Diplocynodon sp. The fossil associations of the Bardenas Reales of Navarre suggest that the vertebrates lived in the centre of an endoreic basin with stretches of water under intertropical to subtropical climatic conditions.     

Rodents and insectivores from the late Miocene of Romerales (Fortuna Basin,Southern Spain)

Abstract

The Neogene Fortuna Basin (Murcia Region, SE Spain) is rich in microvertebrate sites. Its continental sections include localities extended from the middle Turolian (MN12) to the early Ruscinian (MN14). However, there are few works dealing with the taxonomy of these fossil assemblages. In this paper we provide a complete taxonomic study of the rodents and insectivores from three levels (ROM-2B, ROM-2C and ROM-3A) within the Romerales section. We infer a late Turolian age (late Messinian) for these levels, among which the richest and most diverse level is ROM-C, including at least 11 different taxa. In addition, the paleoecological analysis of these fossil assemblages suggests the dominance of open herbaceous meadows under temperate climate during the formation of these sites, with a slight decrease in temperature and humidity from ROM-2B to ROM-2C.     

New Ichnospecies of Cardioichnus from the Miocene of the Guadalquivir Basin,Huelva, Spain

A new ichnospecies of Cardioichnus, Cardioichnus reniformis isp. nov., is documented and described from marine strata of the Late Miocene of southwestern Spain. It is a bilobate resting trace with a heart‐shaped outline and is related to the work of a wedge‐shaped irregular echinoid of the spatangoid group.     

The carnivoran community from the Miocene of Sandelzhausen (Germany)

From the Bavarian Early/Middle Miocene (MN5) site Sandelzhausen, nine species of carnivoran mammals are identified including the hemicyonine ursid Hemicyon stehlini, the amphicyonids Amphicyon cf. major and Pseudarctos bavaricus, the mustelids Ischyrictis zibethoides and Martes cf. munki, the mephitid Proputorius pusillus, the viverrid Leptoplesictis cf. aurelianensis, the felid Pseudaelurus romieviensis, and finally the recently described barbourofelid Prosansanosmilus eggeri. With these taxa present, Sandelzhausen shows a carnivoran community typical, though deprived, for the Lower to Middle Miocene of Europe, but different from roughly contemporary Mediterranean faunas such as those from Çandir or Pa?alar in Turkey.     

Microbial deposits in upper Miocene carbonates, Mallorca, Spain

The Santanyí Limestone, a 30-35-m thick upper Miocene limestone succession cropping out in Mallorca, contains abundant microbialite deposits, the shape, microstructure and texture of which was controlled by environmental factors: depth, energy and salinity. Three main types of microbialites are distinguished: (1) domed (DNOS) and stratiform, mostly undulate (UNOS) non-oolitic stromatolites, (2) undulate oolitic laminites (UOL) and (3) domed-oolitic thrombolites (DOTs). Based on lithofacies associations and occurrence of microbialite types, the Santanyí Limestone succession is subdivided into five stratigraphic units (I to V) separated by sharp surfaces. Within units II, III and V, the vertical evolution of microbialites was induced by changes in accommodation space/depth: (1) intertidal/very-shallow subtidal conditions at the base were induced by flooding over a wide area, (2) continued sea-level rise caused submergence to subtidal conditions, and (3) a significant bathymetric decrease created the sharp surface bounding these units.In units II and III, NOS accumulated in variable energy and depth conditions, as buildups with thick, somewhat discontinuous and mostly non-isopachous lamination, surrounded by oolitic grainstones with wave and current structures and oolitic intraclasts. In contrast, thin and generally regular and smooth lamination of NOS in unit V suggests, along with the absence of oolite grainstones and macrobiota, calm and restricted, maybe more saline, conditions.UOL, consisting of oolitic layers separated by thin micritic laminae, developed adjacent to NOS in units II and III and to DOT at the lower part of unit III, in shallow-water and low-energy conditions. Both ooids and micrite laminae have evidence for biogenesis. Micritized ooids containing microbial remains are common. Micritic laminae in UOL and the dark micritic laminae in NOS are thought to represent bacterially enhanced calcite precipitation and lithification during periods of low sedimentation.Oolitic thrombolites containing macrobiota are only present in unit III. They represent deeper and open-marine conditions affected by high-energy events, in which microbially mediated precipitation favoured microbialite accretion and lithification.     

Geology and fauna of the middle Miocene hominoid site at Muruyur,Baringo district,Kenya

The middle Miocene sediments assigned to the Muruyur Beds have yielded abundant faunal remains which indicate an age somewhere near the early part of the middle Miocene, perhaps being earlier in time than Fort Ternan but probably coeval or slightly later than Maboko. Available radioisotopic age determinations suggest that the beds are between 13.5 and 14 m.y. old, which seems to be too young when compared with the biostratigraphic estimate. The importance of Muruyur Beds lies in their rich fossil content which includes hominoids of an age which is in general poorly represented in East Africa’s fossil record. This article places the fossil discoveries on record, and discusses their geological context.     

New insights in late Miocene lower Chelif basin biostratigraphy based on planktonic foraminifera (Algeria)

Quantitative and qualitative analyses based on planktonic foraminifera of two sections (Oued Derdoussa and Djebel Meni) from lower Chelif basin (northern Algeria) enable us to identify for the first time a sequence of bioevents calibrated with the geomagnetic polarity time scale. The identified bioevents of late Miocene formations are useful for a high-resolution correlation in the whole western Mediterranean at local and regional scales. In particular, this work reveals that the sequence covers an interval of time that extends from the upper Tortonian up to the pre-evaporite Messinian period. Indeed, the base of the succession starts with a change in the coiling direction (from dextral to sinistral) of Neogloboquadrina acostaensis as the first bioevent. This later corresponds to the bioevent (1–8) assigned to the Tortonian sediments. This period is marked by the presence of Globorotalia menardii in sinistral coiled form that was substituted gradually with dextral coiled. The Tortonian/Messinian (T/M) boundary coincides to some extent with a sharp replacement of G. menardii group (I and II) with the first common occurrence (FCO) of Globorotalia miotumida plexus few meters below the development of the Tripoli diatomite formation (bioevent 9). This later is dominated mainly by highly convex species (G. miotumida plexus) marked by the presence of Globorotalia mediterranea in contrast with the marly formation at the base of the section. In this part, the recorded bioevents (10 to 17) are assigned to the Messinian sediments. Thus, the Tripoli formation shows the influx of Globorotalia nicolae and a small incursion of the dextrally coiled of Globorotalia scitula at the top of Oued Derdoussa section as a local bioevent that may be related to the local palaeoenvironment. We notice the absence of the change in the coiling from sinistral to dextral of N. acostaensis during the upper Messinian, this may be due to the coincidence of this bioevent with the barren levels.     

Eocene siliceous sponges from the Ebro Basin (Catalonia, Spain)

The Eocene (Bartonian) marls of the La Guixa Member and Gurb Member, Vic Marls Formation (Ebro Basin, Catalonia, Spain), contain a very rich and diversified siliceous sponge fauna. The fauna is dominated by hexactinellids; lithistids and other demosponges are rare. It consists of 16 species representing 16 genera. Eleven new species and two new genera are proposed for these sponges: Reguantella cavernosa nov. gen. nov. sp., Regadrella concinna nov. sp. (both Hexactinellida, Lyssacinosa), Eurete clava nov. sp., Pleuroguettardia iberica nov. sp., Aphrocallistes almeriae nov. sp., Hexactinella informis nov. sp. (all Hexactinellida, Hexactinosa), Brachiolites munterensis nov. sp., Centrosia viquensis nov. sp., Callicylix eocenicus nov. sp., Rhizocheton robustus nov. sp. (all Hexactinellida, Lychniscosa), Propetrosia pristina nov. gen. nov. sp. (Demospongia, Haplosclerida). Some genera of sponges in this fauna are still extant, but, in general, the predominant ones are very close in morphology, and, without doubt, closely related to the Late Cretaceous sponges. This fauna also differs considerably, in terms of composition, from most other described faunas of Tertiary sponges from the Mediterranean region, which are dominated by lithistid sponges. Lithistid sponges are rare in this investigated assemblage, which seems most similar to an as yet undescribed Eocene fauna from Italy. There is ecological differentiation in the proportions of particular sponges in various outcrops and/or stratigraphical levels that is clearly associated with water-depth-related controlling factor(s): Munter, Tona and Sta. Cecilia represent the deepest facies, Gurb is intermediate, and St. Roc and Vespella are the most shallow. The exact bathymetric position of the sponge fauna is difficult to estimate, but it seems that 100 m (but probably 200 m and more in the case of the deepest parts) of water depth may be inferred for this facies.     

A fossil Vallisneria plant (Hydrocharitaceae) from the Early Miocene freshwater deposits of the Most Basin (North Bohemia)

A new fossil species of Vallisneria (V. janecekii Bogner & Kva?ek, sp. n., Hydrocharitaceae) is reported from Early Miocene freshwater lake deposits of the North Bohemian brown coal basin (Czech Republic). It is based on a single fragmentary sterile plant bearing two clusters of ribbon-shaped widely serrulate leaves on a short rhizome. It is a potential producer of seeds described from equivalent and slightly older deposits in Saxony (Germany) as Vallisneria ovalis Mai.     

New Late Miocene murids from China (Mammalia, Rodentia)

New murids of Late Miocene (medial Baodean Chinese Mammal Unit) age from Inner Mongolia, northern China, and from Yunnan Province, southern China, are described. Hansdebruijnia perpusilla nov. sp. represents the earliest known and morphologically most primitive species of the genus, which is known from the latest Miocene of Europe and western Asia. The new species suggests an eastern Palaearctic origin of Hansdebruijnia. “Progonomys” yunnanensisQIU and STORCH, 1990 from Lufeng, Yunnan Province, is referred to Linomys nov. gen. New samples from Leilao, Yuanmou County, Yunnan Province, are included in this species, although this population is somewhat more primitive than that from Lufeng. Leilaomys zhudingi nov. gen. and sp. from Leilao shows a unique combination of apomorphic and plesiomorphic characters, which suggest an early divergence from the murid stem. The new findings indicate that our knowledge of the early radiation of murids in southeast Asia is still in its infancy.     

Latest Miocene Dasyatidae (Neoselachii, Batomorphii) from the Alvalade Basin, Portugal

This paper deals with the only latest Miocene fish fauna so far recognized in Portugal and probably in western Europe through more than 10,000 teeth and many other remnants collected in the Latest Miocene, Esbarrondadoiro Formation (Alvalade basin, southern Portugal). A large number of teeth reported to the family Dasyatidae (ca. 46% among the Myliobatiforms) are described. Several forms were recognized. The concerned deposits are particularly rich in modern type, close to still extant selachian forms. This is confirmed by the presence of different species of Dasyatis. From the thermic point of view, Alvalade basin marine fishes point out to a decrease in the prevailing thermic conditions. The still abundant Dasyatis are in contrast to the rarity of Raja, a genus which suggests temperate or cold, or deeper hence colder waters. Moderately warm water conditions predominated, less than in Tortonian of Lisbon, more than exist today near the Portuguese coasts. The occurrence ratios of the taxa concerned among the exploited sites are quantitatively different. This points out to different paleoenvironmental conditions. The Dasyatis had a litoral/neritic bathymetric distribution and a benthic way of life. However, the Esbarrondadoiro pattern is very different from those from Santa Margarida and Vale de Zebro, which are nearly identical between them as far as Dasyatis gr. gigas and Dasyatis sp. are concerned: Dasyatis gr. gigas may suggest less warm waters, and this is very much compatible with other data that indicate a deeper environment and hence colder waters for Esbarrondadoiro.     

Percrocuta miocenica (Percrocutidae,Carnivora) from the middle Miocene of Brajkovac (Central Serbia)

This paper describes a well-preserved hemimandible of Percrocuta miocenica from Brajkovac (Lazarevac municipality, Central Serbia). Based on the faunal remains recovered so far, the site is attributed to Mammal Zone MN6 (Langhian, middle Miocene). Apart from Prebreza, this is only the second site where remains of P. miocenica have been found in Serbia, and the third one in the Balkans. The newly discovered fossil, along with other taxa (e.g., Bunolistriodon meidamon, Giraffokeryx punjabiensis, Alloptox sp.), underlines the similarities between the middle Miocene Balkan and Anatolian mammal faunas.     

Fossil woods from Janggi Group (Early Miocene) in Pohang Basin,Korea

Sixty-four silicified fossil woods were collected from the Early Miocene Upper Coal-bearing Formation of Janggi Group in Pohang City, the Korean Peninsula. Out of them 23 specimens were identified as gymnosperms and 27 specimens as dicotyledons. The taxa identified include Picea palaeomaximowiczii Watari, Taxodioxylon cunninghamioides (Watari) Watari, T. sequoianum (Merckl.) Gothan, Fagus hondoensis (Watari) Watari, Cercidiphyllum sp., Camellia japonoxyla Suzuki et Terada, Distylium chiharu-hirayae Suzuki et Terada, Aesculus sp., Wataria miocenica (Watari) Terada et Suzuki and W. parvipora Terada et Suzuki. All of these species are reported for the first time from the Tertiary basins of Korea. Compared with those of the Miocene Formations in Japan, most taxa we found are common between the paleo-floras in Korea and Japan during the Early to Middle Miocene.     

Stable isotopes (δC and δO) of charophyte gyrogonites: example from the Brochene Fluh section (Late Oligocene-Early Miocene, Switzerland)

A synthetic curve based on the δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O variation measured on Oligocene-Miocene charophyte gyrogonites is presented. Such a synthetic curve cannot be interpreted without taking into account facies relationships. Thus, we present a detailed analysis of the Brochene Fluh section (Late Oligocene, MP29, to early Miocene, MN1), in which more than 30 charophytes levels have been recorded. It is possible to subdivide the section into six cycles: cycles one to four, Late Oligocene in age, present a covariance in the δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O variation, and are typical of small closed lakes subject to great seasonal changes (especially humidity). The last two cycles, of Aquitanian age, show a diminution of seasonality perhaps due to the ingression of the future Burdigalian sea.     

Hydrochemistry from Sr and Mg contents of ostracodes in Pleistocene lacustrine deposits,Baza Basin (SE Spain)

A reconstruction of the early Pleistocene paleohydrochemistry based on the Mg, Sr and Ca content of the Cyprideis valves is presented for shallow lacustrine sequences of the Baza basin. A large number of environmental changes in this marginal area has been recorded by the recurrent alternation of two fossil assemblages which differ in their salinity requirements. Measurements of the Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios of individual calcite shells of Cyprideis show that the water in the higher saline stages (with thalassic organisms indicating marine-like conditions) was of non-marine origin. The Sr/Ca values of Cyprideis valves from sands deposited during a saline water phase show lower values than those from an overlying carbonate sequence which was formed under lower salinity conditions. These unexpected values are assumed to be the result of major changes in the chemical composition of the water in shallow, littoral ponded areas of a hydrologically complex lake. In the sequences that originated in these areas, Sr/Ca values may be used only as salinity indicators within each portion of the sequence formed in a single, continuous evolution. In more open areas, the wide fluctuations of Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca recorded in ostracodes from individual layers of rippled ostracode-shell sands probably reflect the mixing of valves from changing short-term environmental conditions.