HERPETOFAUNAL REMAINS (ANURA, CROCODYLIA, TESTUDINES, SQUAMATA) FROM THE LATE MIOCENE OF THE CREVILLENTE AREA (SE SPAIN): PALAEOBIOGEOGRAPHICAL AND PALAEOECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54103/2039-4942/22382

Keywords:

Palaeoherpetology; Vallesian; Turolian; Iberian Peninsula; Palaeoecology; Palaeoclimatology.

Abstract

In the present work we describe the palaeoherpetofaunal remains from the Crevillente 2 (MN11) and Crevillente 15 (MN12) sites (Crevillente, Alicante, Spain), which is a key area for understanding the faunal turnovers during the Late Miocene. Crevillente 2 has yielded a diverse assemblage composed of anurans (Pelophylax sp.), crocodylians (Crocodylia indet.), lizards (cf. Scinciformata indet. 1 and 2, cf. Timon sp., Lacertidae indet. 1 and 2, Ophisaurus s.l. sp., and Pseudopus sp.) and ophidians (Colubridae indet. 1 and 2, Neonatrix sp., and Viperidae indet. Oriental morphotype). The probable presence of Timon is discussed; if confirmed, it would be the oldest occurrence of the genus. The faunal composition is consistent with that from other coeval Iberian sites. The assemblage includes European autochthonous taxa (Lacertidae and Ophisaurus s.l. sp.) and taxa that likely arrived from Asia or North America during the Oligocene-Miocene transition or the Early Miocene, such as Pseudopus, Oriental vipers and, probably, Neonatrix. The studied assemblage in Crevillente 15 is limited to turtles (Paleotestudo sp. and Testudines indet.) and crocodylians (Crocodylia indet.). At both localities, the surrounding landscape must have been dominated by open habitats with patches of forest/shrubland formations close to water bodies. The application of the Herpetological Ecophysiological Groups method to Crevillente 2 indicates that the mean annual rainfall must have been higher than currently recorded in the area. the Herpetological Ecophysiological Groups method to Crevillente 2 indicates that the mean annual rainfall must have been higher than that currently recorded in the area. Our results indicate that the Iberian palaeoherpetofauna of those chronologies were few barely affected by the Vallesian Crisis.

References

Agustí J., Cabrera L., Garcés M. & Llenas M. (1999) - Mammal turnover and global climate hange in the late Miocene terrestrial record of the Vallés–Penedès basin (NE Spain). In: Agustí J., Rook L. & Andrews P. (Eds.) - Hominoid Evolution and Climatic Change in Europe, The Evolution of the Neogene Terrestrial Ecosystems in Europe, vol. I: 82-115. Cambridge University Press, New York.

Agustí J., Cabrera L., Garcés M., Krijgsman W., Oms O. & Parés, JM. (2001) - A calibrated mammal scale for the Neogene of Western Europe. State of the art. Earth-Science Reviews, 52: 247-260. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0012-8252(00)00025-8

Agustí J., Garcés M. & Krijgsman W. (2006) - Evidence for African–Iberian exchanges during the Messinian in the Spanish mammalian record. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 238: 5-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2006.03.013

Agustí J., Cabrera L. & Garcés M. (2013) - The Vallesian Mammal Turnover: A Late Miocene record of decoupled land–ocean evolution. Geobios, 46: 151-157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geobios.2012.10.005

Ahmadzadeh F., Flecks M., Carretero MA., Böhme W., Ihlow F., Kapli P., Miraldo A. & Rödder D. (2016) - Separate histories in both sides of the Mediterranean: Phylogeny and niche evolution of ocellated lizards. Journal of Biogeography, 43: 1242-1253.

Aiglstorfer M., Bocherens H. & Böhme M. (2014) - Large mammal ecology in the late Middle Miocene Gratkorn locality (Austria). Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, 94: 189-213. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12549-013-0145-5

Antunes MT. & Cahuzac B. (1999) - Crocodilian faunal renewal in the Upper Oligocene of Western Europe. Comptes Rendus de l’Academie de Sciences - Serie IIa: Sciences de la Terre et des Planetes, 328: 67-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1251-8050(99)80089-5

Arnold EN., Arribas Ó. & Carranza S. (2007) - Systematics of the Palaearctic and Oriental lizard tribe Lacertini (Squamata: Lacertidae: Lacertinae), with descriptions of eight new genera. Zootaxa, 1430: 1-86. https://doi.org/10.11646/ZOOTAXA.1430.1.1

Auffenberg W. (1967) - The fossil snakes of Florida. Tulane Studies in Zoology, 10: 131-216.

Augé, ML. (2005) - Évolution des lézards du Paléogène en Europe. Mémoires du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle 192, Paris, 200 pp.

Augé ML. & Brizuela S. (2020) - Transient presence of a teiid lizard in the European Eocene suggests transatlantic dispersal and rapid extinction. Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, 100: 793-817. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12549-019-00414-2

Augé ML. & Pouit D. (2012) - Presence of iguanid lizards in the European Oligocene Lazarus taxa and fossil abundance. Bulletin de la Societe Geologique de France, 183: 653-660. https://doi.org/10.2113/gssgfbull.183.6.653

Augé ML. & Hervet S. (2009). - Fossil lizards from the locality of Gannat (late Oligocene–early Miocene, France) and a revision of the genus Pseudeumeces (Squamata, Lacertidae). Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, 89: 191-201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12549-009-0009-1

Augé ML. & Rage J-C. (2000) - Les Squamates (Reptilia) du Miocène moyen de Sansan. Mémories du Museum nationelle d’Histoire Naturelle, 183: 263-313.

Avery RA. (1976) - Thermoregulation, metabolism and social behaviour in Lacertidae. In: Bellairs Ad’A. & Cox C.B. (Eds.) - Morphology and Biology of Reptiles, Linnean Society Symposium Series No. 33: 245-259. The Linnean Society, London.

Bailon S. (1991) - Amphibiens et reptiles du Pliocene et de du Quaternaire de France et d’Espagne: Mise en place et evolution des faunes. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Université Paris VII, Paris, France.

Bailon S. (1995) - Présence de Mioproteus wezei (Amphibia, Proteidae) dans le Pliocéne supérieur (MN 16) d’Europe de l’Ouest. Neues Jahrbuch fur Geologie und Paläontologie, Monatshefte: 1-8.

Bailon S. (1999) - No 1 Différenciation ostéologique des anoures (Amphibia, Anura) de France. In: Desse J. & Desse-Berset N. (Eds.) - Fiches d’óstéologie animale pour l’archéologie. Série C: varia: 3-41. Centre de Recherches Archéologiques – CNRS, Antibes.

Bailon S. (2010) - Quelonios fósiles del yacimiento de Barranco León (Pleistoceno Inferior, Orce, Granada, España). In: Toro I., Martínez-Navarro B. & Agustí J. (Eds.) - Ocupaciones humanas en el Pleistoceno inferior y medio de la Cuenca de Guadix-Baza. Arqueología Monografías: 185-195. Consejería de Cultura (Junta de Andalucía), Sevilla.

Bailon S. & Blain H-A. (2007) - Faunes de reptiles et changements climatiques en Europe occidentale autour de la limite Plio-Pléistocène. Quaternaire, 18: 55-63. https://doi.org/10.4000/quaternaire.960

Bailon S., García-Porta J. & Quintana-Cardona J. (2002) - Première découverte de Viperidae (Reptilia, Serpentes) dans les Îles Baléares (Espagne): des vipères du Néogène de Minorque. Description d’une nouvelle espèce du Pliocène. Comptes Rendus Palevol, 1: 227-234. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1631- 0683(02)00034-9

Bailon S., Quintana J. & García Porta J. (2005) - Primer registro fósil de las familias Gekkonidae (Lacertilia) y Colubridae (Serpentes) en el Plioceno de Punta Nati (Menorca, Islas Baleares). In: Alcover JA. & Bove P. (Eds.) - Proceedings of the International Symposium “Insular Vertebrate Evolution: The Palaeontological Approach”. Monografies de la Societat d’Història Natural de les Balears: 27-32. Societat d’Història Natural de les Balears, Palma de Mallorca.

Barahona F. (1996) - Osteología craneal de lacértidos de la península ibérica e islas Canarias: Análisis sistemático filogenético. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.

Barahona F. & Barbadillo LJ. (1997) - Identification of some Iberian lacertids using skull characters. Revista Española de Herpetología, 11: 47-62.

Barahona F., Evans S.E., Mateo J.A., García-Márquez M. & López-Jurado L.F. (2000) - Endemism, gigantism and extinction in island lizards: The genus Gallotia on the Canary Islands. Journal of Zoology, 250: 373-388. http://doi.or/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2000.tb00781.x

Barbadillo LJ., García-París M. & Sanchiz B. (1997) - Orígenes y relaciones evolutivas de la herpetofauna ibérica. In: Pleguezuelos JM. (Ed.) - Distribución y biogeografía de los anfibios y reptiles en España y Portugal: 47-100. Universidad de Granada, Granada.

Bernor R.L., Kaya F., Kaakinen A., Saarinen J. & Fortelius M. (2021) - Old world Hipparion evolution, biogeography, climatology and ecology. Earth-Science Reviews, 221: 103784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2021.103784

Bertolero A., Cheylan M., Hailey A., Livoreil B. & Willemsen R. (2011) - Testudo hermanni (Gmelin 1789) – Hermann’s Tortoise. In: Rhodin AGJ., Pritchard PCH., van Dijk PP., Saumure RA., Buhlmann K.A., Iverson J.B. & Mittermeier RA. (Eds.) - Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation Project of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. Chelonian Research Monographs No. 5: 059.1-059.20.

Blain H-A. (2009) - Contribution de la paléoherpétofaune (Amphibia & Squamata) à la connaissance de l’évolution du climat et du paysage du Pliocène supérieur au Pléistocène moyen d’Espagne. Treballs del Museu de Geologia de Barcelona, 16: 39-170.

Blain H-A. & Bailon S. (2019) - Extirpation of Ophisaurus (Anguimorpha, Anguidae) in Western Europe in the context of the disappearance of subtropical ecosystems at the Early-Middle Pleistocene transition. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 520: 96-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2019.01.023

Blain H-A., Bailon S. & Agustí J. (2016) - The geographical and chronological pattern of herpetofaunal Pleistocene extinctions on the Iberian Peninsula. Comptes Rendus Palevol, 15: 731-744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpv.2015.05.008

Böhme M. (2003) - The Miocene Climatic Optimum: evidence from ectothermic vertebrates of Central Europe. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 195: 389-401. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-0182(03)00367-5

Böhme M. & Ilg A. (2003) - fosFARbase. fosFARbase. Downloaded 13 December 2023. http://www.wahre-staerke.com/

Böhme M., Ilg A., Ossig A. & Küchenhoff H. (2006) - New method to estimate paleoprecipitation using fossil amphibians and reptiles and the middle and late Miocene precipitation gradients in Europe. Geology, 34: 425-428. https://doi.org/10.1130/G22460.1

Böhme M., Ilg A. & Winklhofer M. (2008) - Late Miocene “washhouse” climate in Europe. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 275: 393-401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2008.09.011

Böhme M., Winklhofer M. & Ilg A. (2011) - Miocene precipitation in Europe: Temporal trends and spatial gradients. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 304: 212-218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2010.09.028

Böhme M., Vasilyan D. & Winklhofer M. (2012) - Habitat tracking, range dynamics and palaeoclimatic significance of Eurasian giant salamanders (Cryptobranchidae)—Indications for elevated Central Asian humidity during Cenozoic global warm periods. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 342-343: 64-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2012.04.032

Böhme W. & Zammit-Maempel G. (1982) - Lacerta siculimelitensis sp. n. (Sauria: Lacertidae), a giant lizard from the late Pleistocene of Malta. Amphibia-Reptilia, 3: 257-268.

Booth-Rea G., Ranero C. & Grevemeyer I. (2018) - The Alboran volcanic-arc modulated the Messinian faunal exchange and salinity crisis. Scientific Reports, 8: 13015. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-31307-7

Borsuk-Bialynicka M., Lubka M. & Böhme W. (1999) - A lizard from Baltic amber (Eocene) and the ancestry of the crown group lacertid. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 44: 349-82.

Brochu CA. (1999) - Phylogenetics, taxonomy, and historical biogeography of Alligatoroidea. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 19: 9-100. https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.1999.10011201

Brochu CA. (2000) - Phylogenetic Relationships and Divergence Timing of Crocodylus based on Morphology and the Fossil Record. Copeia, 3: 657-673.

Browne RK., Li H., Wang Z., Hime PM., McMillan A., Wu M., Diaz R., Hongxing Z., McGinnity D. & Briggler JT. (2012) - The giant salamanders (Cryptobranchidae): Part A. palaeontology, phylogeny, genetics, and morphology. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, 5: 17-29.

Bruijn H de, Daams R., Daxner-Höck G., Fahlbusch V., Ginsburg L., Mein P. & Morales J. (1992) - Report of the RCMNS working group on fossil mammals, Reisensburg 1990. Newsletters on Stratigraphy, 26: 65-118.

Carranza S.& Arnold EN. (2004) - History of West Mediterranean newts, Pleurodeles (Amphibia: Salamandridae), inferred from old and recent DNA sequences. Systematics and Biodiversity, 1: 327-337. https://doi.org/ 0.1017/S1477200003001221

Casanovas-Vilar I., Moyá–Solá S., Agustí J. & Köhler M. (2005) - The geography of a faunal turnover: tracking the Vallesian Crisis. In: Elewa AMT. (Ed.) - Migration of Organisms: Climate Geography Ecology: 247-300. Springer–Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Casanovas-Vilar I., van den Hoek Ostende LW., Furió M. & Madern PA. (2014) - The range and extent of the Vallesian Crisis (Late Miocene): new prospects based on the micromammal record from the Vallès–Penedès (Catalonia, Spain). Journal of Iberian Geology, 40: 29-48. https://doi.org/ 10.5209/rev_JIGE.2014.v40.n1.44086

Casanovas-Vilar I., Garcés M., Marcuello Á., Abella J., Madurell-Malapeira J., Jovells-Vaqué S., Cabrera L., Galindo J., Beamud E., Ledo JJ., Queralt P., Martí A., Sanjuan J., Martín-Closas C., Jiménez-Moreno G., Luján ÀH., Villa A., De Miguel D., Sánchez I.M., Robles J.M., Furió M., Van den Hoek Ostende LW., Sánchez-Marco A., Sanisidro Ó., Valenciano A., García-Paredes I., Angelone C., Pons-Monjo G., Azanza B., Delfino M., Bolet A., Grau-Camats M., Vizcaíno-Varo V., Mormeneo D., Kimura Y., Moyà-Solà S. & Alba D.M. (2022) - Els Casots (Subirats, Catalonia), a key site for the Miocene vertebrate record of Southwestern Europe. Historical Biology, 34: 1494-1508. https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2022.2043296

Čerňanský A. (2010) - Earliest world record of green lizards (Lacertilia, Lacertidae) from the Lower Miocene of Central Europe. Biologia, 65: 737-741. https://doi.org/10.2478/s11756-010-0066-y

Čerňanský A. & Augé M.L. (2013). - New species of the genus Plesiolacerta (Squamata: Lacertidae) from the upper Oligocene (MP28) of Southern Germany and a revision of the type species Plesiolacerta lydekkeri. Palaeontology, 56: 79-94. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4983.2012.01167.x

Čerňanský A. & Smith KT. (2018) - Eolacertidae: a new extinct clade of lizards from the Palaeogene; with comments on the origin of the dominant European reptile group–Lacertidae. Historical Biology, 30: 994-1014. https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2017.1327530

Čerňanský A. & Syromyatnikova E.V. (2019) - The first Miocene fossils of Lacerta cf. trilineata (Squamata, Lacertidae) with a comparative study of the main cranial osteological differences in green lizards and their relatives. PLoS One, 14: e0216191. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216191

Čerňanský A., Klembara J. & Smith K.T. (2016). - Fossil lizard from central Europe resolves the origin of large body size and herbivory in giant Canary Island lacertids. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 176: 861-877. https://doi.org/10.1111/zoj.12340

Čerňanský A., Bolet A., Müller J., Rage J-C., Augé M. & Herrel A. (2017) - A new exceptionally preserved specimen of Dracaenosaurus (Squamata, Lacertidae) from the Oligocene of France as revealed by micro-computed tomography. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 37: e1384738.

https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2017.1384738

Čerňanský A., Yaryhin O., Ciceková J., Werneburg I., Hain M. & Klembara J. (2019) - Vertebral Comparative Anatomy and Morphological Differences in Anguine Lizards with a Special Reference to Pseudopus apodus. The Anatomical Record, 302: 232-257. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.23944

Chan K.O. & Brown R.M. (2017) - Did true frogs ‘dispersify’? Biology Letters, 13: 20170299. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2017.0299

Chesi F., Delfino M. & Rook L. (2009) - Late Miocene Mauremys (Testudines, Geoemydidae) from Tuscany (Italy): Evidence of terrapin persistence after a mammal turnover. Journal of Paleontology, 83: 379-388. https://doi.org/10.1666/08-134.1

Codrea V.A., Venczel M. & Ursachi L. (2017) - Amphibians and squamates from the early Vallesian of Creţeşti (Vaslui County, E-Romania). Nymphaea, 44: 37-56.

Codrea V.A., Bordeianu M. & Venczel M. (2022) - Amphibians and squamate reptiles from the late Miocene of Fălciu (Eastern Romania). Palaeontologia Electronica, 25: 1-23. https://doi.org/10.26879/1156

Danilov I.G. (2005) - Die fossilen Schildkröten Europas. In: Fritz U. (Ed.) - Handbuch der Reptilien und Amphibien Europas. Band 3/IIIB: Schildkröten (Testudines) II (Cheloniidae, Dermochelyidae, Fossile Schildkröten Europas): 329-441. AULA-Verlag GmbH, Wiebelsheim.

Delfino M. & Bailon S. (2000). - Early Pleistocene herpetofauna from Cava dell’Erba and Cava Pirro (Apulia, Southern Italy). Herpetological Journal, 10: 95-110.

Delfino M., Rage JC. & Rook L. (2003) - Tertiary mammal turnover phenomena: what happened to the herpetofauna? Deinsea, 10: 153-161.

Delfino M., Luján ÀH., Abella J., Alba D.M., Böhme M., Pérez-Ramos A., Tschopp E., Morales J. & Montoya P. (2020) - Late Miocene remains from Venta del Moro (Iberian Peninsula) provide further insights on the dispersal of crocodiles across the late Miocene Tethys. Journal of Paleontology, 95: 184-192. https://doi.org/10.1017/jpa.2020.62

Díaz Aráez J.L., Delfino M., Luján À.H., Fortuny J., Bernardini F. & Alba D.M. (2017) - New remains of Diplocynodon (Crocodylia: Diplocynodontidae) from the Early Miocene of the Iberian Peninsula. Comptes Rendus Palevol, 16: 12-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpv.2015.11.003

Domingo L., Koch P.L., Hernández-Fernández M., Fox D.L., Domingo M.S. & Alberdi M.T. (2013) - Late Neogene and Early Quaternary Paleoenvironmental and Paleoclimatic Conditions in Southwestern Europe: Isotopic Analyses on Mammalian Taxa. PLoS One, 8: e63739. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0063739.

Escoriza D. & Comas M. (2015) - Is Hyalosaurus koellikeri a true forest lizard?. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 10: 610-620.

Escoriza D. & Amat F. (2021) - Habitat Partitioning and Overlap by Large Lacertid Lizards in Southern Europe. Diversity, 13: 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3390/d13040155

Estes R. (1983) - Enciclopedia of Paleoherpetology. Part 10A. Sauria terrestria, Amphisbaenia. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart, New York.

Evans S.E. (2008) - The Skull of Lizards and Tuatara. In: Gans C., Gaunt A.S. & Adler K. (Eds.) - Biology of the Reptilia. Volume 20, Morphology H. The skull of Lepidosauria: 1-348. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Ithaca.

Fick S.E. & Hijmans R.J. (2017) - WorldClim 2: new 1km spatial resolution climate surfaces for global land areas. International Journal of Climatology, 37: 4302-4315. https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.5086

García-Alix A., Minwer-Barakat R., Martín Suárez E., Freudenthal M., Aguirre J. & Kaya F. (2016) - Updating the Europe–Africa small mammal exchange during the late Messinian. Journal of Biogeography, 43: 1336-1348. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.12732

García-Alix A., Furió M., Minwer-Barakat R., Martin Suarez E. & Freudenthal M. (2011) - Environmental control on the biogeographical distribution of Desmanella (Soricomorpha, Mammalia) in the Miocene of the Iberian Peninsula. Palaeontology, 54: 753-762. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4983.2011.01062.x

García-Porta J. & Casanovas-Vilar I. (2001) - Noves localitats de Amphisbaenia fòssils i comentaris sobre el grup en el Miocè Peninsular. Butlletí de la Societat Catalana d’Herpetologia, 15: 91-98.

Georgalis G.L., Villa A., Ivanov M., Vasilyan D. & Delfino M. (2019) - Fossil amphibians and reptiles from the Neogene locality of Maramena (Greece), the most diverse European herpetofauna at the Miocene/Pliocene transition boundary. Palaeontologia Electronica, 22.3.68: 1-99. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.26879/908

Georgalis G.L. & Szyndlar Z. (2022) - First occurrence of Psammophis (Serpentes) from Europe witnesses another Messinian herpetofaunal dispersal from Africa–biogeographic implications and a discussion of the vertebral morphology of psammophiid snakes. The Anatomical Record, 305: 3263-3282. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.24892

Gibert L., Scott G.R., Montoya P., Ruiz-Sánchez F.J., Morales J., Luque L., Abella J. & Lería M. (2013) - Evidence for an African-Iberian mammal dispersal during the preevaporitic Messinian. Geology, 41: 691-694. https://doi.org/10.1130/G34164.1

Glynne E., Daza J.D. & Bauer A.M. (2020) - Surface sculpturing in the skull of gecko lizards (Squamata: Gekkota). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 131: 801-813. https://doi.org/10.1093/biolinnean/blaa144

Herbert T.D., Lawrence K.T., Tzanova A., Peterson L.C., Caballero-Gill R. & Kelly C.S. (2016) - Late Miocene global cooling and the rise of modern ecosystems. Nature Geoscience, 9: 843-847. http://doi.org/10.1038/NGEO2813

Hoffstetter R. (1962) - Observations sur les ostéodermes et la classification des anguidés actuels et fossiles. Bulletin du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, 34: 149-157.

Holman J.A. (1998) - Pleistocene amphibians and reptiles in Britain and Europe. Vol. 38. Oxford University Press, New York, USA.

Hsü K.J. (1974) - The Miocene desiccation of the Mediterranean and its climatical and zoogeographical implications. Naturwissenschaften, 61: 137-142.

Ivanov M., Čerňanský A., Bonilla-Salomón I. & Luján À.H. (2020) - Early Miocene squamate assemblage from the Mokrá-Western Quarry (Czech Republic) and its palaeobiogeographical and palaeoenvironmental implications. Geodiversitas, 20: 343-376.

https://doi.org/10.5252/geodiversitas2020v42a20

Jiménez E. & Montoya P. (2002) - Quelonios del Mioceno Superior de Crevillente 2 (Alicante, España). Stvdia Geologica Salmanticensia, 30: 87-103.

Klembara J. (1986) - New finds of the genus Ophisaurus (Reptilia, Anguidae) from the Miocene of Western Slovakia (Czechoslovakia). Acta Universitatis Carolinae Geologica, 2: 187-203.

Klembara J. & Rummel M. (2018) - New material of Ophisaurus, Anguis and Pseudopus (Squamata, Anguidae, Anguinae) from the Miocene of the Czech Republic and Germany and systematic revision and palaeobiogeography of the Cenozoic Anguinae. Geological Magazine, 155: 20-44. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.22854

Klembara J. & Čerňanský A. (2020) - Revision of the cranial anatomy of Ophisaurus acuminatus Jörg, 1965 (Anguimorpha, Anguidae) from the late Miocene of Germany. Geodiversitas, 42: 539-557. https://doi.org/10.5252/geodiversitas2020v42a28

Klembara J., Böhme M. & Rummel M. (2010) - Revision of the anguine lizard Pseudopus laurillardi (Squamata, Anguidae) from the Miocene of Europe, with comments on paleoecology. Journal of Paleontology, 84: 159-196.

Klembara J., Hain M. & Dobiasová K. (2014) - Comparative Anatomy of the Lower Jaw and Dentition of Pseudopus apodus and the Interrelationships of Species of Subfamily Anguinae (Anguimorpha, Anguidae). The Anatomical Record, 297: 516-544.

Kotsakis T., Delfino M. & Piras P. (2004) - Italian Cenozoic crocodilians: Taxa, timing and palaeobiogeographic implications. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 210: 67-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2004.03.013

Koufos G.D. (2006) - Paleoecology and chronology of the Vallesian (Late Miocene) in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology, 234: 127-145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2005.01.014

Lavin B.R. & Girman D.J. (2019) - Phylogenetic relationships and divergence dating in the Glass Lizards (Anguinae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 133: 128-140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2018.12.022

Lapparent de Broin F. (2000) - Les Chéloniens de Sansan. In: Ginsburg L. (Ed.) - La faune miocene de Sansan et son environnernent. Mémoires du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, 183: 219-216. Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris.

Lapparent de Broin F. (2001) - The European turtle fauna from the Triassic to the Present. Dumerilia, 4: 155-217.

Lemierre A., Gendry D., Poirier M.-M., Gillet V. & Vullo R. (2022) - The oldest articulated ranid from Europe: A Pelophylax specimen from the lowest Oligocene of Chartres-de-Bretagne (N.W. France). Journal of Vertebrate Palaeontology, 42: 4. https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2023.2191663

Loréal E., Syromyatnikova E.V., Danilov I.G. & Čerňanský A. (2023) - The easternmost record of the largest anguine lizard that has ever lived – Pseudopus pannonicus (Squamata, Anguidae): New fossils from the late Neogene of Eastern Europe. Fossil Record, 26: 51-84. https://doi.org/10.3897/fr.26.100059

Luján, À.H., Delfino M., Robles J.M. & Alba D.M. (2016) - The Miocene tortoise Testudo catalaunica Bataller, 1926, and a revised phylogeny of extinct species of genus Testudo (Testudines: Testudinidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 178: 312-314. https://doi.org/10.1111/zoj.12414

Lymberakis P., Poulakakis N., Manthalou G., Tsigenopoulos C.S., Magoulas A. & Mylonas M. (2007) - Mitochondrial phylogeography of Rana (Pelophylax) populations in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 44: 115-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2007.03.009

Macaluso L., Villa A., Pitruzzella G., Rook L., Carnevale G. & Delfino M. (2021a) - A progressive extirpation: An overview of the fossil record of Salamandrina (Salamandridae, Urodela). Historical Biology, 33: 3723-3740. https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2021.1888946

Macaluso L., Villa A., Carnevale G. & Delfino M. (2021b) - Past, present, and future climate space of the only endemic vertebrate genus of the Italian peninsula. Scientific Report, 11: 22139. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-01492-z

Macey J.R., Schulte II J.A., Larson A., Tuniyev B.S., Orlov N. & Papenfuss T.J. (1999) - Molecular Phylogenetics, tRNA Evolution, and Historical Biogeography in Anguid Lizards and Related Taxonomic Families. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 12: 250-272.

Madern P.A., van de Put J.M., Casanovas-Vilar I. & van den Hoek Ostende L.W. (2018) - Iberian micromammals show local extent of Vallesian Crisis. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 496: 18-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2017.12.033

Mateo J.A. (2017) - Lagarto ocelado - Timon lepidus. In: Salvador A. & Marco A. (Eds.) - Enciclopedia Virtual de los Vertebrados Españoles. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid. http://www.vertebradosibericos.org/timlepid.html

Martín-Suárez E. & Freudenthal M. (1993) - Muridae (Rodentia) from the Lower Turolian of Crevillente (Alicante, Spain). Scripta Geologica, 103: 65-118.

Martín-Suárez E. & Freudenthal M. (1998) - Biostratigraphy of the continental Upper Miocene of Crevillente (Alicante, Spain). Geobios, 31: 839-847.

Martín-Suárez E., Freudenthal M. & Civis J. (2001) - Rodent palaeoecology of the continental upper Miocene of Crevillente (Alicante, SE Spain). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 165: 349-356. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-0182(00)00170-X

Marwick P.J. (1998) - Fossil crocodilians as indicators of Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic climates: Implications for using palaeontological data in reconstructing palaeoclimate. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 137: 205-271. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-0182(97)00108-9

Mazo A.V. & Montoya P. (2003) - Proboscidea (Mammalia) from the Upper Miocene of Crevillente (Alicante, Spain). Scripta Geologica, 126: 79-109.

Mein P. (1990) - Updating of MN zones. In: Lindsay E.H., Fahlbusch V. & Mein P. (Eds.) - European Neogene Mammal Chronology: 73-90. Plenum, New York.

Miller K.G., Wright J.D. & Fairbanks R.G. (1991) - Unlocking the Ice House: Oligocene-Miocene oxygen isotopes, eustasy, and marginerosion. Journal of Geophysical Research, 96: 6829-6848. https://doi.org/10.1029/90JB02015

Montenat C. (1973) - Les Formations Néogenes et Quatemaires du Levant Espagnol (provinces d ’Alicante et de Murcia). Unpublished PhD Thesis, Université d’Orsay-Paris-Sud, Paris, France.

Montoya P. (1994) - Los macromamíferos del Mioceno superior del área de Crevillente (Alicante). Unpublished PhD Thesis, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.

Montoya P. & Alberdi M.T. (1995) - Crevillente 15 y Crevillente 16, dos nuevos yacimientos con macromamíferos en el Mioceno superior de Alicante. Estudios Geológicos, 51: 159-182.

Mudelsee M., Bickert T., Lear C.H. & Lohmann G. (2014) - Cenozoic climate changes: a review based on time series analysis of marine benthic δ18O records. Reviews of Geophysics, 52: 333-374. https://doi.org/10.1002/2013RG000440

Pérez-García A. (2016) - Analysis of the Iberian Aragonian record of Paleotestudo, and refutation of the validity of the Spanish ‘Testudo catalaunica’ and the French ‘Paleotestudo canetotiana’. Spanish Journal of Palaeontology, 31: 321-340. https://doi.org/10.7203/sjp.31.2.17159

Pérez-García A. (2017) - The Iberian fossil record of turtles: An update. Journal of Iberian Geology, 43: 155-191. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41513-017-0016-4

Pérez-García A. & Murelaga X. (2013) - Las tortugas del Valleniense superior del Cerro de los Batallones (Madrid, España): Nuevos datos sobre el escasamente conocido género Paleotestudo. Ameghiniana, 50: 335-353.

Pérez-García A. & Vlachos E. (2014) - New generic proposal for the European Neogene large testudinids (Cryptodira) and the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the medium and large representatives of the European Cenozoic record. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 172: 653-719. https://doi.org/10.1111/zoj.12183

Pérez-García A., Vlachos E. & Arribas A. (2017) - The last giant continental tortoise of Europe: A survivor in the Spanish Pleistocene site of Fonelas P-1. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 470: 30-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2017.01.011

Pérez-García A., Vlachos E. & Murelaga X. (2020) - A large Testudinid with African affinities in post-Messinian (Lower Pliocene) record of South-Eastern Spain. Palaeontology, 63: 497-512. https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12468

Piñero P., Agustí J., Oms O., Fierro I., Montoya P., Mansino S., Ruiz-Sánchez F.J., Alba D.M., Alberdi M.T., Blain H.-A., Laplana C., Van der Made J., Mazo A.V., Morales J., Murelaga X., Pérez-García A., Pérez-Valera F., Pérez-Valera J.A., Sevilla P., Soria J.M. & Romero G. (2017) - Early Pliocene continental vertebrate Fauna at Puerto de la Cadena (SE Spain) and its bearing on the marine-continental correlation of the Late Neogene of Eastern Betics. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 479: 102-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2017.04.020

Rage J.-C. (2013) - Mesozoic and Cenozoic squamates of Europe. Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, 93: 517-534. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12549-013-0124-x

Rage J.-C. & Holman J.A. (1984) - Des serpents (Reptilia, Squamata) de type nord-américain dans le Miocène français. Évolution parallèle ou dispersion? Geobios, 17: 89-104.

Rage J.-C. & Roček Z. (2003) - Evolution of anuran assemblages in the Tertiary and Quaternary of Europe, in the context of palaeoclimate and palaeogeography. Amphibia-Reptilia, 24: 133-167. https://doi.org/10.1163/156853803322390408

Rage J.-C. & Bailon S. (2005) - Amphibians and squamate reptiles from the late early Miocene (MN 4) of Béon 1 (Montréal-du-Gers, southwestern France). Geodiversitas, 27: 413-441.

Roček Z. (1984) - Lizards (Reptilia, Sauria) from the lower Miocene locality Dolnice (Bohemia, Czechoslovakia). Rozpravy Ceskoslovenské Akademie Ved, Rada Matematickych a prírodních Ved, 94: 3-69.

Roček Z. (2013) - Mesozoic and Tertiary Anura of Laurasia. Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, 93: 397-439. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12549-013-0131-y

Roldán F.J., Rodríguez-Fernández J., Villalobos M., Lastra J., Díaz-Pinto G. & Pérez Rodríguez A.B. (2009) - Mapa Geológico Digital continuo E. 1:50.000, Zonas: Subbético, Cuenca del Guadalquivir y Campo de Gibraltar. In: GEODE. Mapa Geológico Digital continuo de España. Downloaded 16 November 2024. http://info.igme.es/cartografiadigital/geologica/geodezona.aspx?Id=Z2600

Sanchiz B. (1998) - Encyclopedia of Paleoherpetology. Part 4. Salientia. Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil, München, Germany.

Sanchiz B. (1981) - Nota sobre la herpetofauna Miocénica de los Valles de Fuentidueña (Segovia). Estudios Geológicos, 37: 355-358.

Sanchiz B., Schleich H.H. & Esteban M. (1993) - Water frogs (Ranidae) from the Oligocene of Germany. Journal of Herpetology, 27: 486-488.

Santisteban C. de, Montoya P., Usera J. & Robles F. (1997) - El Terciario marino y continental de Alicante. In: Alcalá L. & Alonso A.M. (Eds.) - Itinerarios Geológicos en el Terciario del Centro y Este de la Península Ibérica: 73-107. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid.

Shevenell A.E., Kennett J.P. & Lea D.W. (2004) - Middle Miocene Southern Ocean Cooling and Antarctic Cryosphere Expansion. Science, 305: 1766-1770. http://doi.org/10.1126/science.1100061

Speybroeck J., Beukema W., Bok B. & Van Der Voort J. (2016) - Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Britain and Europe. Bloomsbury Publishing, London, United Kingdom.

Strömberg C.A.E. (2011) - Evolution of Grasses and Grassland Ecosystems. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 39: 517-544. http://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-earth-040809-152402

Szyndlar Z. (1984) - Fossil snakes from Poland. Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 28: 1-156.

Szyndlar Z. (1985) - Ophidian fauna (Reptilia, Serpentes) from the uppermost Miocene of Algora (Spain). Estudios Geológicos, 41: 447-465.

Szyndlar Z. (1987) - Snakes from the lower Miocene locality of Dolnice (Czechoslovakia). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 7: 55-71. https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.1987.10011637

Szyndlar Z. (1991a) - A review of Neogene and Quaternary snakes of central and eastern Europe. Part I: Scolecophidia, Boidae, Colubrinae. Estudios Geológicos, 47: 103-126.

Szyndlar Z. (1991b) - A review of Neogene and Quaternary snakes of central and eastern Europe. Part II: Natricinae, Elapidae, Viperidae. Estudios Geológicos, 47:237--266.

Szyndlar Z. (1994) - Oligocene Snakes of Southern Germany. Journal of Vertebrate Palaeontology, 14: 24-37.

Szyndlar Z. (2012) - Early Oligocene to Pliocene Colubridae of Europe: A review. Bulletin de la Société Géologique de France, 6: 661-681. https://doi.org/10.2113/gssgfbull.183.6.661

Szyndlar Z. & Rage J.-C. (1999) - Oldest Fossil Vipers (Serpentes: Viperidae) from the Old World. Kaupia, Darmstädter Beiträge zur Naturgeschichte, 8: 9-20.

Szyndlar Z. & Rage J.-C. (2002) - Fossil record of the true vipers. In: Schuett G.W., Hoggren M., Douglas M.E. & Greene H.W. (Eds.) - Biology of the vipers: 419-444. Eagle Mountain Publishing, Utah.

Szyndlar Z. & Schleich H.H. (1993) - Description of Miocene Snakes from Petersbuch 2 with Comments on the Lower and Middle Miocene Ophidian Faunas of Southern Germany. Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde Serie B (Geologie und Paläontologie), 192: 1-47.

Tschopp E., Villa A., Camaiti M., Ferro L., Tuveri C., Rook L., Arca M. & Delfino M. (2018) - The first fossils of Timon (Squamata: Lacertinae) from Sardinia (Italy) and potential causes for its local extinction in the Pleistocene. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 20: 1-32.

Tschopp E., Napoli J.G., Wencker L.C., Delfino M. & Upchurch P. (2022) - How to render species comparable taxonomic units through deep time: a case study on intraspecific osteological variability in extant and extinct lacertid lizards. Systematic biology, 71: 875-900.

Van Dam J.A. (2006) - Geographic and temporal patterns in the late Neogene (12–3 Ma) aridification of Europe: The use of small mammals as paleoprecipitation proxies. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 238: 190-218. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2006.03.025

Vasilyan D., Roček Z., Ayvazyan A. & Claessens L. (2019) - Fish, amphibian and reptilian faunas from latest Oligocene to middle Miocene localities from Central Turkey. Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, 99: 723-757. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12549-019-00405-3

Venczel M. (2001) - Anurans and squamates from the Lower Pliocene (MN 14) Osztramos 1 locality (Northern Hungary). Fragmenta Palaeontologica Hungarica, 19: 79-90.

Villa A., Delfino M., Luján À.H., Almécija S. & Alba D.M. (2017) - First record of Latonia gigantea (Anura, Alytidae) from the Iberian Peninsula. Historical Biology, 31: 371-382. https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2017.1371712

Villa A., Abella J., Alba D.M, Almécija S., Bolet A., Koufos G.D., Knoll F., Luján À.H., Morales J., Robles J.M., Sánchez I.M. & Delfino M. (2018) - Revision of Varanus marathonensis (Squamata, Varanidae) based on historical and new material: morphology, systematics, and paleobiogeography of the European monitor lizards. PLoS One, 13: e0207719. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0207719

Villa A. & Delfino M. (2019a) - A comparative atlas of the skull osteology of European lizards (Reptilia: Squamata). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 20: 1-100. https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz035

Villa A. & Delfino M. (2019b) - Fossil lizards and worm lizards (Reptilia, Squamata) from the Neogene and Quaternary of Europe: an overview. Swiss Journal of Palaeontology, 138: 177-211. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13358-018-0172-y

Villa A., Quadros A.B., Delfino M., Luján À.H., Bolet A., Casanovas-Vilar I., Robles J.M. & Alba D.M. (2024) - The rise and fall of the Iberian cobras (Elapidae, Naja) in the context of their European and global fossil record. Papers in Palaeontology, 10: e1575. https://doi.org/10.1002/spp2.1575

Vlachos E., Sterli J., Vasileiadou K. & Syrides G. (2019) - A new species of Mauremys (Testudines, Geoemydidae) from the late Miocene – Pliocene of Central Macedonia (northern Greece) with exceptionally wide vertebral scutes. Papers in Palaeontology, 5: 177-195. https://doi.org/10.1002/spp2.1235

Walton R., Baxter R., Bunbury N., Hansen D., Fleischer-Dogley F., Greenwood S. & Schaepman-Strub G. (2019) - In the land of giants: habitat use and selection of the Aldabra giant tortoise on Aldabra Atoll. Biodiversity and Conservation, 28: 3183-3198. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-019-01813-9

Westerhold T., Bickert T. & Röhl U. (2005) - Middle to late Miocene oxygen isotope stratigraphy of ODP site 1085 (SE Atlantic): new constrains on Miocene climate variability and sea–level fluctuations. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 217: 205-222. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2004.12.001

Downloads

Published

15-01-2025

How to Cite

MARQUINA-BLASCO, R. (2025) “HERPETOFAUNAL REMAINS (ANURA, CROCODYLIA, TESTUDINES, SQUAMATA) FROM THE LATE MIOCENE OF THE CREVILLENTE AREA (SE SPAIN): PALAEOBIOGEOGRAPHICAL AND PALAEOECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS”, RIVISTA ITALIANA DI PALEONTOLOGIA E STRATIGRAFIA , 131(1). doi: 10.54103/2039-4942/22382.

Issue

Section

Articles
Received 2024-01-29
Accepted 2024-11-08
Published 2025-01-15