Large- and small-mammal distribution patterns and chronostratigraphic boundaries from the Late Pliocene to the Middle Pleistocene of the Italian peninsula

The late Pliocene phase of large-scale climatic deterioration about 3.2-2.4 Ma BP is well documented in a number of (benthic) δ 18 O records. To test the global implications of this event, we have mapped the distribution patterns of various sediment variables in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans during two time slices, 3.4-3.18 and 2.43-2.33 Ma BP. The changes of bulk sedimentation and bulk sediment accumulation rates are largely explained by the variations of CaCO 3 -accumulation rates (and the accumulation rates of the complementary siliciclastic sediment fraction near continents in higher latitudes). During the late Pliocene, the CaCO 3 -accumulation rate increased along the equatorial Pacific and Atlantic and in the northeastern Atlantic, but decreased elsewhere. The accumulation rate of organic carbon (C org ) and net palaeoproductivity also increased below the high-productivity belts along the equator and the eastern continental margins. From these patterns we may conclude that (trade-) wind- induced upwelling zones and upwelling productivity were much enhanced during that time. This change led to an increased transfer of CO 2 from the surface ocean to the ocean deep water and to a reduction of evaporation, which resulted in an aridification of the Saharan desert belt as depicted in the dust sediments off northwest Africa.

Download Full-text

Small mammal fauna in Europe during the second half of the Middle Pleistocene

Fossil Imprint ◽

10.2478/if-2017-0002 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 73 (1-2) ◽

pp. 48-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Anastasia K. Markova ◽

Andrey Yu. Puzachenko

Keyword(s):

Small Mammal ◽

Middle Pleistocene ◽

Integrated Analysis ◽

Time Intervals ◽

East European ◽

Mammal Fauna ◽

Evolutionary Changes ◽

Mis 5E ◽

Eemian Interglacial ◽

West European

Evolutionary changes in European small mammals during the second half of the Middle Pleistocene, from the Likhvin (Holsteinian, Hoxnian) Interglacial (MIS 11) to the beginning of the Mikulino (Eemian) Interglacial (MIS 5e), that is between 424 ka BP and 130 ka BP were traced. Trends in evolutionary change were documented, and East European and West European faunas were compared. An integrated analysis of available theriological, geological, and geochronological data for the second half of the Middle Pleistocene in Europe has shown marked changes in the small mammal fauna throughout the period under consideration and provided information on the climate and environments at different time intervals. Changes traceable in the Arvicolinae phyletic lines made a correlation between the West European and East European mammal localities possible. The biostratigraphic scheme of the second half of the Middle Pleistocene has been developed and maps of small mammal localities compiled.

Download Full-text

Similarities between large mammal faunas of the Italian Peninsula and France from the Pliocene to the Middle Pleistocene

Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie - Abhandlungen ◽

10.1127/njgpa/233/2004/69 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 233 (1) ◽

pp. 69-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Maria R. Palombo ◽

Andrea M. F. Valli

Keyword(s):

Middle Pleistocene ◽

Large Mammal ◽

Italian Peninsula ◽

Mammal Faunas

Download Full-text