Changes in Paratethyan marine molluscs at the Early/Middle Miocene transition : diversity, palaeogeography and palaeoclimate

• Autorzy: Harzhauser M. , Mandic O. , Zuschin M.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

The transition from the Early Miocene to the Middle Miocene is a crucial point for the development of mollusc faunas (gastropods and bivalves) in the Central Paratethys. Here, we first discuss the confusing and partly contradictory stratigraphic concepts and correlations of Paratethyan and Mediterranean reference faunas. Then we show that the interplay of sea level fluctuations, climatic amelioration, immigrations, and blooms in autochthonous elements causes a complex pattern of faunal development. We focus on the so-called "Ground Fauna", which flourised during the Early Badenian and is here treated as transitional between typical late Early Miocene and typical Middle Miocene faunas. This faunal type, originally defined in Austria, is represented within the entire Central Paratethys and is strictly stratigraphically determined. It developed during the early Middle Miocene and is interpreted by us to mirror a phase of optimal climatic conditions. This is most plausible in respect to the marginal position of the Central Paratethys. As a northern appendix of the early Mediterraneas Sea, it spans a north-south gradient of about 4 stopnie latitude and is suggested to represent a type of "palaeo-thermometer" which reflects slight expansions or restrictions of climatic belts. The Langhian climatic optimum, for example, seems to be reflected within Paratethyan mollusc faunas by the northward migration of Mediterranean thermophilic species during the Early Badenian.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

Badenian; Climatic optimum; Helvetian; Karpatian; molluscs; Paratethys

• Wydawca: Faculty of Geology of the University of Warsaw ; Komitet Nauk Geologicznych PAN
• Czasopismo: Acta Geologica Polonica
• Rocznik: 2003
• Tom: Vol. 53, nr 4
• Strony: 323--339
• Opis fizyczny: Tab., fot.,

Twórcy

autor

Harzhauser M.

autor

Mandic O.

autor

Zuschin M.

• Department of Geology and Palaeontology, Museum of Natural History, Burgring 7, A-1014, Wien, Austria,