Bollettino SPI Vol. 28 - Issues 1, 2, 3
Issue 1
Published in June 1989
- Albani R. (1989)
Ordovician (Arenigian) Acritarchs from the Solanas Sandstone Formation, Central Sardinia, Italy
pp. 3-37
Some rich acritarch microflora of Arenigian age (Striatotecha – Coryphidium assemblage) are described. The fossiliferous beds belong to the upper part of the Solanas Sandstone Formation outcropping on the eastern shore of the Lago Medio del Flumendosa (Central Sardinia).
Even though the sediments are affected by a weak metamorphism, the acritarchs are rather well preserved.
The acritarchs include 47 taxa of which two species are new: Dasydiacrodium bicorne, Stelliferidium brevipalmatum. One species is emended, and three new combinations are proposed. The ages and affinities of the acritarch assemblages are briefly discussed.
- Chiocchini M. (1989)
Cribellopsis amaudae n. sp. (Foraminiferida, Orbitolinidae) from the Lower Cretaceous of the Southern Latium and Abruzzi (Central Italy)
pp. 39-48
Cribellopsis arnaudae, a new species of the family Orbitolinidae and the most recent known form of the genus Cribellopsis, is described. It has been observed in some carbonate platform series of the Aurunci, Ausoni and Lepini Mounts (Southem Latium), Ocre Mounts and Western Marsica (Abruzzi). In the above mentioned areas Cribellopsis arnaudae n. sp. is located into a small lithostratigraphic interval (few meters thick), corresponding to the upper part of the «Diceratides limestones unit» by Chiocchini & Mancinelli (1977). The Lower Albian
age of this unit is indirectly confirmed by its stratigraphic position, between the Upper Aptian limestones of the Archaealveolina reicheli biozone (at the base) and the Upper Albian limestones containing Neoiraqia convexa (near the top).
- Pozza G.C. (1989)
Spiriferina of the Lower Lias of Cingoli (Marche, Italia)
pp. 49-62
In this paper 3 groups of the species Spiriferina rostrata (Schlotheim, 1822) are distinguished and described.
After a first brief distinction, based on external morphological characters, an accurate study of the internal structures (by transversal serial cuttings made on several samples) followed and it confinned the initial distinction completely. I indicated the 3 groups as S. rostrata form A, S. rostrata form B and S. rostrata form C. By the study of micro and macrofossils and of textural composition of Calcare Massiccio, in which Spiriferina were found, I hypothized an environment of quite water, but not necessary deep. The presence of some samples of Tauromenia polymorpha, and of just one sample of Arnioceras sp., allowed me to assert that S. rostrata (Schlotheim, 1822) characterizes, here, the Lower Sinemurian (Semicostatum Zone) – Lower Lotharingian (Obtusum Zone) interval, in the lower Liassic.
- Carras N. (1989)
Clypeina ? delphica n. sp. (Calcareous Algae, Dasycladales) from Malm of the Parnassus area (Greece)
pp. 63-70
A new calcareous alga, Clypeina ? delphica n. sp. , is described from the upper Kimmeridgian – lower Portlandian marginal facies of the upper Parnassus carbonate Platform. The main characteristics of the new alga are: whorls having a shape of a flared deep bowl, high number of branches in each whorl and superimposition more serried than the previously known species of the genus Clypeina.
- Castellana M., Manni R. & Nicosia U. (1989)
Bajocian cyrtocrinid crinoids from the Central Italy
pp. 71-77
A new cyrtocrinid crinoid coming from Bajocian sediments of the Central Italy is described and named Fischericrinus sandrae n. gen., n. sp.: moreover Phyllocrinus belbekensis Arendt, 1974 is point out and discussed from the systematics point of view.
It is the first time that cyrtocrinids surely Bajocian in age coming from the Italy are described and these findings let us hypothesize an origin of cyrtocrinid crinoids somewhat different by previous works.
- Laviano A. & Guarnieri G. (1989)
Vaccinites vredenburgi Kuhn, 1932, from the Upper Cretaceous of Apulia (Southern Italy)
pp. 79-86
Vaccinites vredenburgi Kuhn, 1932, first recovered in the Upper Cretaceous limestones of the Murgian area (Apulia), is described. The good state of preservation of the specimens, particularly of one furnished with the left valve too, prompts us to re-describe this species in an attempt to give a more complete diagnosis.
An accurate measurement of characters of systematic value (Skelton & Wright, 1987, p. 508) enables a discussion about its relationships (Kuhn,
op. cit.) with the similar species Vaccinites giganteus d’Hombre-Firmas, 1838 and Vaccinites gosaviensis Douville, 1890.
- Ferretti A. (1989)
Microbiofacies and constituent analysis of Upper Silurian – Lowermost Devonian limestones from Southwestern Sardinia
pp. 87-100
On the basis of their fossil content and sedimentological features, the Wenlockian, Ludlovian, Pridolian and Lower Lochkovian limestones of SW Sardinia can be subdivided into six main microfacies.
Paleontological and sedimentological data suggest deposition in shelf areas during Wenlockian – Ludlovian times and a deeper depositional environment in the following Pridolian – early Lochkovian. Biosedimentological data also evidenced environments characterized by normal salinity, high temperature and a generally low sedimentation rate.
- Davoli F. (1989)
The Miocene Olividae (Mollusca, Gastropoda): last evidence of intertropical climate in the Mediterranean Basin
pp. 101-132
Twelve Mediterranean Miocene species of the family Olividae, and other three of Eocene-Oligocene age, supposed to be phylogenetically related
to the former taxa, are described and discussed. The shell material largely comes from the museum collections in the Institute Paleontology of Modena, or was collected by the present author from Tortonian beds in the Northern Apennines.
After an exhaustive review of the family Olividae and a re-examination of systematic arrangement and ecologic meaning of modem and fossil
species, the disappearance of this family from the Mediterranean Basin during Late Miocene is treated.
The so-called Messinian « salinity crisis » of the Mediterranean Sea has represented an insuperable obstacle for these molluscs, but the climatic events already drastically reduced the species number. Possibly the climatic deterioration prevented the Early Pliocene recolonization of the Mediterranean Sea by few species from shelters along the West African coasts.
Finally, the stratigraphic meaning of some taxa having limited chronological distribution in this area is discussed.
Issues 2-3
Published in October 1989
- Aguilar J.P., Clauzon G. & Michaux J. (1989)
The Mio-Pliocene boundary in Southern France through rodent fauna
pp. 137-145
In Southern France, the localities of La Tour and Vivès 2 respectively border the boundary between Miocene and Pliocene. The rodent fauna of La Tour is revised and compared to Miocene and Pliocene faunas discovered in Spain, since 1982. The Miocene age of La Tour is maintained. Newly recovered material from French localities which undoubtly belong to the lowermost Pliocene on the basis of field data confirms that in Southern France the rodent faunas of that age lack the genera Stephanomys, Trilophomys, Promimomys and Celadensia. Up to now, these localities are the only ones in Europe to be unquestionably referred to the lowermost Pliocene. The boundary between Miocene and Pliocene falls inside a 0,5 to 1 My. long time interval
calibrated by rodent faunas.
- Agustí J. (1989)
On the peculiar distribution of some muroid taxa in the Western Mediterranean
pp. 147-154
In recent years several localities from Eastern Spain have yielded muroid forms of African or Asiatic affinities. Thus, Protatera is present in the early Pliocene sections of Gorafe and Botardo, in the Guadix-Baza basin, as well as in the fissure infillings of Casablanca-M, Salobreria and Ses Fontanelles. The genus Epimeriones has been recognized in the section of Can Vilella (Cerdanya basin) while Pseudomeriones is present in Casablanca-M. This is the first mention of these genera in the Iberian Peninsula. Other finds in the filling of Casablanca-M are Myocricetodon cf. parvus, Calomyscus sp. and Blancomys sp. The presence of the former genus in Casablanca-M strongly suggests an afro-asiatic origin for this form, which probably colonised the western Mediterranean during the Messinian. The presence of these taxa in the Iberian Peninsula is regarded in the context of the late Miocene events. The previously established hypothesis of a “Mediterranean corridor” during the salinity crisis is reviewed on the basis of the former data.
- Agustí J., Moyà-Solà S. & Martín Suàrez L. (1989)
Review of the late Miocene-early Pliocene mammalian faunas from eastern Spain
pp. 155-160
In this paper a revision is done of the most important late Turolian-early Ruscinian sequences from eastern Spain. The late Turolian is present in the Levant (sections of Venta del Moro, La Alberca, Librilla, Crevillente, Fortuna, etc.) and Granada areas (section of Arenas del Rey and others). Peculiar late Turolian associations appear in the fissure infillings of Casablanca-M (Castellón) and Salobrena (Granada), with a significant representation of taxa of Afro-Asiatic affinities. The early Ruscinian is present in the Baix Ebre (sections of Campredó and Sant Onofre) and Guadix-Baza basins (sections of Gorafe and Botardo). Marine continental correlations are proposed on the basis of the data fournished by the Fortuna and Tortosa sequences.
- Antunes M.T. & Mein P. (1989)
Small mammals of late Miocene from Alvalade basin (Portugal); comparison with faunas from Spain and Maghreb
pp. 161-170
Upper Turolian small mammals have been found at Esbarrondadoiro, Santa Margarida and Vale de Zebro, Alvalade basin. This fauna allowed for the first time to ascribe a Messinian age to marine deposits in Portugal.
The fauna compares closely to those from the Uppermost Miocene in Southern Spain and, like these, it comprises some elements that are
also known in the Maghreb. A new species, Castillomys margaritae, is described. The presence of Apodemus and Occitanomys is recorded for
the first time in the Portuguese Neogene. The age of the sites seems to be about 6 My.
Close relationships between the geotectonic evolution of the Alvalade basin and those of Algarve and Southern Spain are evident. This is not the case as far as the Tagus basin is concerned, which reinforces the hypothesis the geotectonic evolution during the Tertiary become younger and younger southwards, at least until the end of the Miocene.
- Azanda B., Menéndez E. & Alcalá L. (1989)
The Middle-Upper Turolian and Ruscinian Cervidae in Spain
pp. 171-182
Cervids from eight Spanish mammal localities ranging in age from Middle Turolian to Ruscinian are studied. These come mainly from the Teruel graben (Calatayud-Teruel basin), though some additional material from the Cabriel (Valencia) and Guadix-Baza (Granada) basins has also been included. Morphological types of antlers and the biostratigraphic position of these deer are established, and their relationships are inferred. All the studied forms belong to the subfamily Cervinae. The first record of Cervinae in the Spanish Neogene is of Lower Turolian age, and precisely coincides with the last record of representatives of the subfamily Muntiacinae.
- Bertolani Marchetti D. & Mariotti Lippi M. (1989)
A palynological view of the Messinian in Italy
pp. 183-188
The Messinian poses many problems on its vegetation, climate and boundary with the Tortonian and Pliocene. Presence of a coniferous forest (Tsuga/Cedrus) lowered in a cool climate phase were revealed by means of pollen analysis. This mountain forest belt is not present in the messinian layers of Sicily. The alternating marl and gypsum sedimentation seems to be related to changes in climate.
The Messinian had important effects on the vegetation since lowering of the Mediterranean, uncovered continental lands providing new routes for plant migrations. Moreover the dryness of some climatic phases seems to have formed the bases of present-day mediterranean vegetation.
Due to the lack of palynological data, little is known on the Tortonian/Messinian and Messinian/Pliocene boundaries.
- De Brujin H. (1989)
Smaller mammals from the Upper Miocene and Lower Pliocene of the Strimon basin, Greece. Part 1. Rodentia and Lagomorpha
pp. 189-195
Seven assemblages of smaller mammals from the Strimon basin, ranging in age from the Late Vallesian to the Early Ruscinian, are studied. These faunas can be correlated roughly with the MN scale, but differ in many respects from associations of similar age from South Western Europe.
Most assemblages contain a mixture of animals, some being indicative of dry open-country biotopes and others of wet forest biotopes. The
relative abundance of these two categories is not related to the geological age of the assemblages so the “Messinian event” is not reflected in the ecology as reconstructed on the basis of the Rodentia and Lagomorpha.
- De Giuli C. (1989)
The Rodents of the Brisighella latest Miocene fauna
pp. 197-212
Rodents form the bulk of the Brisighella fauna. Murids are by far the most abundant family, though their diversification is moderate. Only 5 species occur, two were recognized as new species, one belonging to a new subgenus. These are Stephanomys debruijni n. sp., the most abundant species, and Castillomys (Centralomys) benericettii n. sp.. Rodents other than murids are extremely rare.
The fauna can be easily referred to the MN13 zone. It has no comparisons in Italy other than the Baccinello V3 fauna. The only species in common is the rare Apodemus, and no conclusions can be drawn. There is a striking similarity between the Brisighella fauna and the Caravaca, Alcoy and Maritsa faunas. Apomorphies in some species, and the absence of species typical of MN14, suggest a late MN13 age. The geological setting of the Brisighella fauna allows to correlate these faunas with the latest Messinian.
- Doukas C.S. (1989)
Smaller mammals from the Upper Miocene and Lower Pliocene of the Strimon basin, Greece. Part 2. Insectivora
pp. 213-216
Out of seven assemblages of smaller mammals from the Strimon basin, ranging in time from Late Vallesian to Early Ruscinian, six contain Insectivores. These assemblages contain animals of both dry and wet biotopes.
- Eisenmann V. & Sondaar P. (1989)
Hipparions and the Mio-Pliocene boundary
pp. 217-226
The review of classical Pliocene forms (groups of Hipparion crassum, H. fissurae, H. rocinantis) shows that they do not occur before the upper Ruscinian, MN 15 zone. The model of hipparion’s characterization of the Mio-Pliocene boundary based on Mongolian data does not seem valid. In the lower Ruscinian of Europe, hipparions which are so abundant during the Miocene have virtually disappeared probably because the environment was too warm and moist. In Africa, where the passage from Miocene to Pliocene was smoother, autochthonous forms persisted at the Mio-Pliocene boundary. In North America, this boundary is marked by the extinction of tridactyl horses and the development of monodactyl or functionally monodactyl (Nannippus) equids, probably in relation to aridization. There is no reason to consider that Eurasiatic caballoid hipparions are closely related to the North American Neohipparion, their similarities are probably the result of parallelism. The relation between Eurasiatic and African caballoid hipparions is still open to discussion: neither parallelism nor migration
can be excluded.
- Engesser B. (1989)
The Late Tertiary small mammals of the Maremma region (Tuscany, Italy). 2nd part: Muridae and Cricetidae (Rodentia, Mammalia)
pp. 227-252
In the Neogene basin of Baccinello there is a succession of five mammal horizons, ranging from the Lower Turolian (MN11) to the Lower Villanyian (MN 16). Three of these faunas are mainly endemic. In addition to the famous faunas of the V-1, V-2, V-3 horizons a new fauna was found in the last few years which is somewhat older than the V-1 fauna. This V-0 fauna is of special interest not
only because it is the oldest known fauna in the entire basin, but also because it contains a non endemic murid — Valerymys vireti — which
allows a biostratigraphic calibration of this fauna. Starting from this species we can trace a phylogenetic development via Valerymys
oreopitheci nov. sp. to Anthracomys majori. Valerymys oreopitheci is larger and more hypsodont than V. vireti, and is the most frequent small mammal of the Baccinello lignite (V-1).
Anthracomys lorenzi nov. sp. from the V-3 faunal horizon is smaller and more primitive than A. majori; for this reason it can not be derived from the latter species. A. lorenzi is therefore considered as an immigrant from another endemic area. The V-3 fauna also contains a new species of Apodemus — A. etruscus nov. sp. Since among the M1 there are specimens of the Parapodemus morphotype and others of the Apodemus morphotype, Apodemus etruscus is considered as intermediate between the two genera, and therefore as a primitive species of Apodemus.
The cricetids are represented in the Baccinello basin only by the genus Kowalskia. An isolated molar, which cannot be identified specifically, documents the occurrence of this genus in the V-1 horizon. From the V-3 faunal horizon a new species of Kowalskia — K.
nestori nov. sp. — is described, which is close to K. fahlbuschi.
While the V-1 and V-2 faunas are difficult to calibrate biostratigraphically because of their predominantly endemic taxa, the difficulty of
calibrating the V-3 fauna is due to the fact that many well documented taxa are new. An additional difficulty is the lack of comparable faunas of similar age in Italy. The only fauna of similar age — that of Brisigella — is difficult to compare, because the two faunas contain
almost no closely related taxa. Only Apodemus points to the possibility of a somewhat older age for the V-3 fauna. The youngest fauna of the
succession — that of Arcille — yielded only two murid teeth which cannot be identified precisely. On the basis of Mimomys it can be calibrated
within the Lower Villanyian.
An interesting question concerns the origin of all these faunas. The large mammals of the faunas from V-0 to V-2 are mainly of African origin. On the other hand all the small mammals of these faunas, and the entire faunas of V-3 and Arcille seem to be of European origin. This situation makes it likely that the Maremma region might have been connected with Africa sporadically during much of the Miocene, probably
by means of a chain of islands. There was probably no land connection with the European mainland before Middle Turolian times. The small
mammals of European origin might have drifted passively over the sea. Due to the fact that already in the oldest faunas very specialized
insular mammals co-existed with much less specialized forms, we postulate several waves of immigration, probably as many as six.
- Esu D. & Girotti O. (1989)
Late Miocene and Early Pliocene continental and oligohaline molluscan faunas of Italy
pp. 253-263
In this paper some palaeobiogeographic aspects regarding Late Miocene-Early Pliocene continental and oligohaline molluscan faunas of Italy are considered. Late Miocene deposits characterized by oligohaline and occasional fresh-water molluscs are well exposed along the Italian peninsula and in Sicily. The majority of them are of Late Messinian age and only a few are referred to Early Messinian. In the malacological assemblages, species of limnocardiids, dreissenids, melanopsids and neritids are dominant. Rare elements of these associations are of pre-Turolian central-western European origin, while most of them are of Paratethyan and/or Aegean origin. Several of these oriental forms evolved locally in the Italian area giving origin to endemic species. A few Turolian terrestrial gastropods of central-eastern European affinities are found mainly in the north-eastern area of Italy. The end of the Messinian is characterized by the disappearance of limnocardiids and of some gastropods from the Italian area, due to the sharp environmental change which occurred in the endorheic basins where these faunal assemblages proliferated. In the very scanty Ruscinian deposits of Italy dreissenids and several fresh-water gastropods are the most characteristic elements. A Ruscinian continental malacofauna from Sardinia is composed of elements of centralwestern European origin; some of them colonized the island during the Late Messinian while others were derived from a pre-Messinia faunistic stock.
- Esu D. & Taviani M. (1989)
Oligohaline mollusc faunas of the Colombacci Formation (upper Messinian) from an exceptional fossil vertebrate site in the Romagna Apennines: Monticino Quarry (Brisighella, N Italy)
pp. 265-270
Oligohaline mollusc faunas recovered in the Monticino Quarry (Brisighella, Italy) from the Colombacci Formation (upper Messinian) both in situ and from sedimentary dikes infilling karst fissures within Messinian evaporites are briefly described. The assemblages are dominated by Dreissenidae (Dreissena rostriformis) and Limnocardiidae (Plagiodacna cfr. carinata, ? Didacna cfr. bollenense, and Limnocardiidae undetermined) associated with rare Mactra sp.; gastropoda are less frequent (Neritina mutinensis, Saccoia cfr. fontannesi, and
Melanopsis narzolina). Preservation state is rather poor with the fossil remains being very often decalcified, gypsified and deformed. Species composition reveals the coexistence of elements of western Mediterranean paleobiogeographic affinity together with Paratethyan and Italian endemic ones. Terrestrial gastropods, belonging to theree different species of Pulmonates (cfr. Oxychilus sp., Rumina cfr. decollata, cfr. Helix
sp.) and one terrestrial Prosobranch (Pomatias sp.) have been also found in clayey sediments of the Colombacci Formation or in their dikes.
- Kotsakis T. (1989)
Turolian and Ruscinian Castorids: some observations
pp. 271-276
A brief analysis of the European Turolian and Ruscinian castorids permits identification of four phases in the history of this family in Europe: The earliest one, Early Turolian, is characterized by a great number of species, the appearance of new forms and the survival of older species. The second phase, Middle and Late Turolian, is characterized by a decrease in the number of species and by the predominance of Dipoides problematicus. The third phase, Early Ruscinian, is characterized by a new increase in the number of species, the presence of Dipoides of large size and the predominance of Castor praefiber. In the fourth phase, Late Ruscinian, we observe the establishment of the association and/or vicariance Castor–Trogontherium.
- Kotsakis T. (1989)
Late Turolian Amphibians and Reptiles from Brisighella (Northern Italy): preliminary report
pp. 277-280
A preliminary study of the fossil herpetofauna collected in the site of Brisighella (Romagna, N Italy), of Late Miocene age (MN 13), indicates the presence of the following species: Rana sp., Trionyx sp., Emydidae gen. et sp. indet., (?) Testudinidae gen. et sp. indet., Gekkonidae gen. et sp. indet., Lacerta (s.l.) sp., Anguis sp., Ophisaurus cf. O. pannonicus Kormos, Varanidae gen. et sp. indet., cfr. Eryx sp., Colubrinae gen. et sp. indet., Natricinae gen. et sp. indet. The predominance of Ophisaurus testifies a generally arid environment.
- Kotsakis T. & Masini F. (1989)
Late Turolian Bats from Brisighella (Northern Italy)
pp. 281-285
A preliminary study of the fossil herpetofauna collected in the site of Brisighella (Romagna, N Italy), of Late Miocene age (MN 13), indicates the presence of the following species: Rana sp., Trionyx sp., Emydidae gen. et sp. indet., (?) Testudinidae gen. et sp. indet., vetus (Lavocat), Asellia cfr. A. mariaetheresae Mein and Myotis cfr. M. boyeri Mein. The megadermatid, the first rhinolophid and the vespertilionid seem more evolved than the corresponding forms from Lissieu (France, Late Turolian). The presence of a megadermatid and two hipposiderids indicates a warm climate and the presence of the genus Asellia an arid sandy environment.
- Landini W. & Sorbini L. (1989)
Ichthyofauna of the evaporitic Messinian in the Romagna and Marche regions
pp. 287-293
The ichthyofauna collected in four localities of the Emilia-Romagna and Marche regions (Monte delle Formiche, Borgo Tossignano, Brisighella and Monte Castellaro) are examined. Many specimens of fish have been found in the euxinic shale interstrata in the «Vena del Gesso» sequence (Borgo Tossignano, Brisighella). At Borgo Tossignano the ichthyofauna is characterized by Aphanius crassicaudus, a peculiar element of almost all the evaporitic Messinian Mediterranean. At Brisighella, the ichthyofauna is formed by stenohaline marine taxa (Trachurus, Sarda, etc.), associated with euryhaline taxa (Gobius, Atherina, Tilapiinae, etc.). The presence of Tilapiinae gr., in Borgo Tossignano, Brisighella, and Monte Castellaro is very interesting from a biogeographic point of view.
The change that occurred in the environment during and before the deposition of the evaporitic sequence can be observed in the localities examined here.
- Masini F. (1989)
Prolagus sorbinii n. sp., a new Ochotonid (Mammalia, Lagomorpha) from the Messinian of Italy
pp. 295-306
Recently, new finds of Prolagus have been recovered from Messinian sediments of the Central-Northern Apennines. The most complete one is an articulated skeleton enclosed in a thin marly bed, that was collected by Dr. L. Sorbini (Museum of Natural History, Verona) at Monte Castellaro (Pesaro, Italy), from the “Marne Bituminose” of the Gessoso-solfifera Fm. Some specimens of Prolagus, consisting mainly of isolated teeth, have also been found in the infilled karst fissures of the Monticino Quarry (Brisighella, Faenza, Italy). The associated mammal fauna shows that the fossil assemblage belongs to the MN13 zone. The enclosing sediments are from the Colombacci Fm., and therefore the Brisighella finds are younger than the fossil from Monte Castellaro. Some of the derived features of the dention of the M. Castellaro find, as well as the large premolar foramen, are similar to those of Prolagus michauxi. It differs, however, from the type specimen of P. michauxi (Early Pliocene, MN15b, Séte) in some significant ways: it has a more elongated muzzle with a longer premaxillar bone, a divided incisive foramen, and a low and wide ascending mandibular branch. These features, combined with the significant time span separating the two finds, indicate that the specimens from M. Castellaro represent a distinct species for which the name Prolagus sorbinii n. sp. is proposed. The teeth from the Monticino Quarry have several derived characteristics in common with P. sorbinii n. sp., but are smaller. The dental morphology by itself is not sufficient to demonstrate the conspecificity of the two finds, but does not contrast it. Taking into account also the fact that the two sites are stratigraphically and geographically close to each other, it is reasonable to refer the form from Monticino to Prolagus cf. sorbini. A group of poorly known forms from some late Turolian localities of Spain (Venta del Moro, Arquillo, Alcoy), whose affinities are somewhat uncertain, and have been previously grouped in P. michauxi, may belong to this new Messinian species. Prolagus sorbinii n. sp. may also be related to the Pliocene finds identified as P. figaro depereti (Perpignan, MN15b), and to P. savagei from Cascina Arondelli (Asti, MN16a).
- Masini F. & Thomas H. (1989)
Samotragus occidentalis n. sp., a new bovid from the late Messinian of Italy
pp. 307-316
The recently discovered infilled karst fissures in the Monticino quarry (Brisighella, Faenza, Italy) have yielded a fairly rich mammal fauna from the MN13 zone. The bulk of the bovid remains can be referred to a new species of caprine antelope: Samotragus occidentalis. Prior to this discovery, the genus Samotragus was thought to be restricted to the late Vallesian and middle Turolian of Greece, with the species S. praecursor and S. crassicornis. Samotragus bas never been reported from the numerous late Miocene localities of Spain or from France. The finds from Brisighella demonstrate that the genus Samotragus was present further west than the Balkan regions along the northern border of the Mediterranean, where it survived until the latest Miocene. These new finds also increase the systematic importance of this group, which is rare in the fossil record.
- Pickford M. (1989)
Evidence for climatic changes near the Miocene-Pliocene boundary in tropical Africa
pp. 317-320
A recent survey of the Lake Albert Basin has resulted in a better understanding of the geochronology of its peculiar molluscan faunas. Current estimates of the ages of the various sedimentary formations are based on comparisons with mammalian biostratigraphic sequences established in the Eastern Rift Valley. The beginnings of endemism in the Albertine molluscan fauna can be traced back to about 7-8 M.Y., with the evolution of peculiar, but not extreme forms of Viviparus, Cleopatra, and Pleiodon. By the end of the Miocene, and perhaps the lowermost Pliocene, a highly varied, endemic fauna had evolved, which included eight species of Viviparus, two of Platymelania, and one each of Lanistes, Pleiodon, Pseudobovaria, and Pseudodiplodon. By about 4 M.Y. ago, many of the endemic viviparids and melaniids had become extinct. Only three of the specialized endemics survived, while two new ones evolved. By lower Pleistocene times only one of the 17 endemic species found in the basin continued to survive; the fauna had become essentially modern in aspect by the inception of the Pleistocene.
The most important line of research is to determine whether the evolution of these bizarre molluscs occurred precisely at the Miocene-Pliocene boundary, and whether they developed as a result of the same events that occurred in the Mediterranean Basin where the boundary is defined.
- Taviani M, (1989)
Late Turolian slugs (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) from vertebrate-rich sedimentary dikes in the Monticino Quarry (Brisighella, Northern Italy)
pp. 321-322
The sedimentary dikes within the uppermost evaporitic banks of the Gessoso-solfifera Fm. outcropping in the Monticino Quarry (Brisighella, Romagna Apennines) held an unusual concentration of shells of Late Turolian land slugs (Gastropoda: Pulmonata).
Three families at least are represented in the dike-fauna, i.e. Limacidae, Milacidae and Parmacellidae. These shells were concentrated mechanically and trapped within karst fissures of subaerially exposed late Messianian evaporites.
- Van der Made J. & Moyà-Solà S. (1989)
European Suinae (Artiodactyla) from the Late Miocene onwards
pp. 329-339
European Suidae that have a time distribution near the Mio-Pliocene boundary have been studied. They belong to two tribes: Dicoryphochoerini (Korynochoerus, Microstonyx and Eumaiochoerus) and Suini (only the genus Sus). The first tribe was well represented in the Late Miocene and the other tribe was represented from the Early Pliocene onwards. The immigrants K. palaeochoerus, Microstonyx and K. provincialis entered in the latest Middle Miocene and Late Miocene. Microstonyx is a lineage of three forms; the endemic island form Eumaiochoerus is an offshoot of this line. In the Pliocene Sus arvernensis and S. strozzii immigrated. Sus scrofa entered late in the Early Pleistocene. The endemic Sardinian Sus nanus is believed to be a descendant of S. arvernensis. A range chart for the Suinae is given. European Microstonyx was a lineage characterized by a size decrease of the dentition and loss of premolars: M. antiquus, M. major major and M. major erymanthius. “Propotamochoerus” provincialis is found to be related to Korynochoerus palaeochoerus and is included in this genus. These two species are not related to Propotamochoerus. Fossils described as subgenus Postpotamochoerus are found to be related to Sus and not to Potamochoerus. Cladograms of the Dicoryphochoerini and the Suini are given.
- Vai G.B. (1989)
A field trip guide to the Romagna Apennine geology. The Lamone valley
pp. 343-367
To fully understand importance and implications of the new Monticino continental fauna of late Messinian age, an updated synthetical rewiew of the Northern Apennines geology was prepared, focusing mainly on the Romagna Apennines, with the aim of introducing different categories of earth scientsts to the general geology of the area.
It consists of: 1) a kinematic and structural outline of the Northern Apennine chain with a) list and characterisation of the main deformation phases, and b) distinction of the main tectonic units in the inner (Ligurian Nappes, Tuscan Nappes and Metamorphic Nappes) and the outer belt (Ligurian Nappe and thrust system of the Romagna Apennines and c) scheme of structural evolution centered on five selected stages, 1) Langhian to early Messinian thalassocratic extensional stage, 2) Messinian salinity crisis, 3) intra-Messinian Tectonic revolution, 4) Plio-Pleistocene thalassocratic compressional stage, 5) Middle Pleistocene to Holocene uprise stage); 2) a complete and updated review of litho- and sequence stratigraphy; and 3) a new tentative reconstruction of the palaeotectonic and palaeogeographic evolution illustrated by six palaeogeographic maps extended to most of the north-central Italian area.
In this way, the main stratigraphic, palaeotectonic and palaeogeographic terms of reference are hopefully provided, to enable a thorough discussion and evaluation of the bearing of the new late Messinian vertebrates fauna and other continental vertebrates which have been shown during the trip and the congress.
- Marabini F. & Vai G.B. (1989)
Geology of the Monticino Quarry, Brisighella, Italy. Stratigraphic implications of its late Messinian mammal fauna
pp. 369-382
The rich, diverse and good preserved, though fragmentary continental vertebrate fauna (including micro-and megaforms) found recently in the Monticino Quarry near Faenza (Vena del Gesso Basin, Northern Apennines) was correlated with the late MN13 mammal zone.
This finding is of primary stratigraphic importance, enabling independent age calibrations. The fauna was always found inside the late
Messinian Colombacci Fm. The fauna is predated by the evaporitic (early to middle Messinian) and is confined within the 3r reversed chron; it is particularly well postdated by the basal early Pliocene Sphaeroidinellopsis (MPL 1) Zone, by the lower Amaurolithus tricorniculatus Zone and
by the Thvera (3.3) subchron.
Three main biostratonomic and taphonomic settings of the bones were recognized: 1) partly karstified sedimentary dike fills and mechanical concentrations (bones, originally preserved within alluvial plain muds, were first disarticulated, transported and redeposited in a brackish environment and finally injected along with pebbly mudstone within partly karstified, late Messinian neptunian dykes); 2) biological concentrations in karst holes (symmetric collections of left and right micromammal teeth have been interpreted as karst hole concentrations
where predator birds lived; in this case the micromammal fauna would predate slightly the Colombacci Fm and correspond to the early late
Messinian emersion interval; the bone nests have been later incorporated as a whole within the Colombacci matrix during the late Messinian tectonic reactivation, injecting and infilling of karstified sedimentary dyke system); 3) pocket-like concentrations inside the in situ Colombacci
Fm (they occur close to the top fill of neptunian dykes and their fauna is coeval with the supporting Colombacci clay, i.e. latest Messinian).
This contribution improves the correlations between the continental (and Paratethys), the standard stratigraphic marine (Mediterranean) and the biostratigraphic oceanic scales.
The eastern affinity of the Adriatic Monticino mammal fauna and its difference from the coeval Baccinello V3 Tyrrhenian one suggest connection of the emergent Adriatic Apennine with the eastern land masses and separation from the Tyrrhenian islands during the Messinian.
Once more, the question arises of the physical connections between Paratethys and eastern-central Mediterranean through a Iulian-Istrian and a Ionian corridor during the late Messinian.