The Early Miocene Small Mammal Fauna from Karydiá, Greece: biostratigraphic and palaeogeographic implications

Abstract

The Early Miocene was an important period in Eurasian palaeo- and bio-geography, when active tectonism and the onset of the Miocene Climatic Optimum brought about a change in land-sea distribution. Various accounts of European palaeo- and bio-geography are available, however reconstructions are speculative. The Eastern Mediterranean (including Greece, the Balkans and Anatolia) occupy a key position, located between the European, African and Asian continents; a detailed study of the small mammals from this area is essential for understanding the Early Miocene faunal exchanges. This research comprised (1) a detailed analysis and description of the Eomyidae and Cricetidae (Eumyarion) material from Karydiá, Greece, (2) a comparison of the small mammal species from Karydiá with those from other Greek, Central European and Anatolian localities (3) a re-evaluation of the biostratigraphy (MN zonation) of Karydiá and its palaeogeographic implications. The study led to the identification of Pseudotheridmys aff. parvulus and Eumyarion aff. latior. The biostratigraphic position of Karydiá is considered to lie within MN4. The faunal assemblage shows species having affinities with both Central Europe and Anatolia, indicating a connection between these areas during and/or before MN4.