Oldrich Fejfar

Muroid Rodent Biochronology of the Neogene and Quaternary in Europe

The mammalian biochronology of the continental Neogene and Quaternary in Europe has made remarkable advances. The present state of knowledge was discussed at the symposium on “European Neogene Mammal Chronology” at Schloβ; Reisensburg, May 1988. Investigations of fossil rodents have yielded important contributions to the biochronology of the late Cenozoic in Europe. This is due to the rapid evolution of many rodents providing short-ranged species that become characteristic index fossils. In addition, the analysis of evolutionary trends within several rodent lineages has yielded important biochronologic time markers such as the Promimomys-Mimomys-Arvicola lineage.

Late Cenozoic sequences of mammalian sites in Eurasia: an updated correlation

Abstract A review of the geochronological sequence of Late Cenozoic mammalian sites in Eurasia covering the time span from the Vallesian up to the Toringian is given. An updated correlation chart of mammalian localities in Eastern Europe and Asia with the chronology of the Neogene and the magnetic polarity time scale is presented. Some new data on the phylogeny, evolution, distribution and biochronology of voles and lemmings in Eurasia are briefly discussed.

Correlation of selected late Cenozoic European mammal faunas with the magnetic polarity time scale

Abstract Three key late-Cenozoic European mammal faunas (e.g., Valensole faunas of southern France, Triversa or Villafranca dAsti faunas of northern Italy and the Hajnacka fauna of southern Slovakia) are correlated with the magnetic polarity time scale. The Valensole sequence, with MN 13–17 faunas, is from sediments correlated with the upper Gilbert, Gauss and lower to middle Matuyama magnetic chrons. The Triversa sequence includes the Arondelli fauna (MN 16a) and the Fornace RDB fauna, considered herein as MN 15; the Fornace RDB fauna is from sediments correlated with the late Gilbert magnetic chron. The Hajnacka sequence, with MN 16a fauna, is from sediments correlated with the Gauss magnetic chron. Taken separately, these mammal sequences would be very difficult to place relative to the magnetic polarity time scale. They can be placed now, with confidence, only because of the abundant paleomagnetic and faunal data from the Cabriel, Jucar and Teruel Basins of Spain. In that context, there remain some problems of chronologic resolution but, collectively, the data illustrate a clear pattern that permits correlation of these European late Cenozoic mammal faunas with the magnetic polarity time scale.

First micromammals (Mammalia, Soricomorpha) from the Vallesian (Miocene) of Eppelsheim, Rheinhessen (Germany)

The first micromammals are described from Eppelsheim, one of the classic localities of the Dinotheriensande (sands withDeinotherium) of Rheinhessen. The Dinotheriensande are the earliest deposits known of the Rhine river south of the Rhenian Slate Mountains (“Rheinisches Schiefergebirge”).Plesiosorex roosi n. sp. is described as new. The evolutionary stage ofPlesiororex roosi andCrusafontina kormosi suggests that the Eppelsheim fauna is somewhat older than Dorn-Dürkheim 1 (MN 11) but younger than Can Llobateres 1, Rudabanya, and Hammerschmiede (MN 9).KurzfassungVon Eppelsheim, der klassischen Lokalität der obermiozänen Dinotheriensande Rheinhessens, werden die ersten Kleinsäugerfunde beschrieben. Bei den Dinotheriensanden handelt es sich um die ältesten bekannten Rheinsedimente südlich des Rheinischen Schiefergebirges.Plesiosorex roosi n. sp. wird neu beschrieben. Das evolutive Stadium vonPlesiosorex roosi undCrusafontina kormosi lassen für die Eppelsheimfauna auf ein höheres Alter als Dorn-Dürkheim 1 (MN 11) und ein geringeres Alter als Can Llobateres 1, Rudabanya und Hammerschmiede (MN 9) schließen.

All time high: Dimylidae (Eulipotyphla, Mammalia) diversity in the early Miocene locality of Ahníkov 1 (Czech Republic, MN 3)

The locality of Akníkov 1 (Czech Republic, MN 3) has yielded the largest diversity of Dimylidae known from a single locality. Four species are recognised in the few dozen recovered fossils: Dimylus aff. paradoxus, Plesiodimylus sp., Chainodus intercedens and Lacrimodon vandermeuleni nov. gen., nov. sp. The high diversity supports the assumption of a humid palaeoenvironment for Akníkov 1.

Micromamíferos miocenos de Jebel Zelten, Libia

Restos de micromamiferos de siete localidades han sido recogidas durante dos campanas de campo geologicas/paleontologicas (1983 y 1997). Las muestras son pequenas pero se han reconocido y descrito doce especies que representan siete familias de roedores, una de lagomorfos y una de quiropteros. La fauna de mamiferos (macromamiferos) de Jebel Zelten ha sido considerada, en la mayoria de las publicaciones, como un unico lapso temporal, aunque su interpretacion temporal ha sido diversa. En base al estado evolutivo de las especies de micromamiferos, la composicion faunistica y la secuencia estratigrafica concluimos que las asociaciones de Jebel Zelten representan tres periodos temporales differentes que cubren aproximadamente 4 millones de anos. Tres asociaciones pueden asignarse al Mioceno inferior medio (18-19 Ma), una al Mioceno inferior tardio (16-17 Ma) y dos al Mioceno medio (14-15 Ma).