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Middle Miocene insectivores and rodents (Mammalia) from Sámsonháza (Northern Hungary)
Abstract and Figures
A Middle Miocene microvertebrate fauna was excavated from four localities (Sh 0-3) close to Sámsonháza. The vast majority of the mammal finds came from Sh 3. The fossiliferous layer of this locality yielded also a rich molluscan fauna referring to the Middle Badenian. The described insectivors and rodents came from the MN 6 zone of the Astaracian faunal unit.
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... hungaricus from Sámsonháza differs from the material from the type locality only in some morphological details, such as the lack of a funnel-structure and shorter mesolophs in M1 and M2, the m1 missing of the lingual anterolophulid, and lower molars with shorter mesolophids and ectomesolophids. It was considered as an advanced form of C. hungaricus by Hír and Mészáros (2002). Apart from these records, the species is only tentatively recognized in the faunal list from Brajkovac (Serbia; Marković and Milivojević, 2010). ...
... A questionable presence of the genus in Hasznos is also proposed (Hír personal data in Prieto et al., 2015). A second species, M. koenigswaldi De Bruijn, 1966, occurs in Sámsonháza 3 (originally assigned to M. complicatus De Bruijn, 1966 by Hír and Mészáros, 2002;Prieto et al., 2015). ...
... While the M1/2 show a clear bimodal size distribution, the discrimination of the other dental elements into two groups is more problematic. This is indicating, after Hír and Mészáros (2002), the presence of two species, and does not reflect differences in size between the first and second molars because such bimodal distributions were not observed in other large Miodyromys collections. Hír and Mészáros (2002) come to the conclusion that the larger upper molars belong to Miodyromys aff. ...
Over the last decade, important progress has been made in the study of the mammal successions from Hungary and Romania. A critical review of the taxonomy of the published small mammals is provided herein, as well as some new data and an overview of the accompanying vertebrate fauna (excluding fishes) in their stratigraphic context. In addition, the first data regarding the ruminants from Mátraszőlős and Felsőtárkány are presented. This contribution aims to characterize the middle to earliest late Miocene fossil record from these countries, and provide important data for the chrono(bio)stratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental studies at the European scale.
... Fauna: Based on the collection stored in the Geological Institute of Hungary (Budapest; abbreviated MÁFI), preliminary results on the mammal fauna have been presented, with special attention on the cricetid rodents, which are described in detail (Kordos 1981(Kordos , 1986Bolliger 1999;De Bruijn et al. 1993). In addition, Hír and Mészáros (2002) have provided information on the insectivores. Recently, and on the basis of material from the new excavations, Hír and Pászti (2012) have published a short note on the sciurids, and two species of bats are currently under study. ...
... Finally, Hír and Mészáros (2002), based on the evolutionary stage of C. hungaricus, conclude that the Mid Badenian locality Sámsonháza 3 is only slightly younger than Hasznos (see also section Biostratigraphic and biogeographic considerations). This also indicates a Mid Badenian correlation for the fossils studied herein. ...
... Although large mammals and lagomorphs have not yet been fully studied, and thus cannot be discussed here, the two localities show great similarities in terms of their contents, as remarked by Hír and Mészáros (2002) and shown below. ...
The classic locality of Hasznos (Middle Miocene, Mid Badenian, Hungary) has yielded a diverse assemblage of insectivores that is dominated by Erinaceidae and Soricidae, with three species each. The Talpidae are represented by one species, Desmanodon aff. crocheti. Prior to this record of D. crocheti in Hasznos, this species has only been recorded in the Late Badenian of the North Alpine Foreland Basin. The high similarity of the assemblage to that of Sámsonháza 3 confirms that Hasznos and Sámsonháza are very close in age. The new data are discussed in their biostratigraphical and biogeographical contexts.
... The dental pattern of the tooth is similar to that of m1 regarding the number and distribution of ridges; the anterolophid is connected with the long anterotropid at labial ends, isolated from the metalophid. Except the metalophid, other main ridges Daams and Bruijn, 1995;Freudenthal, 2004 Mayr (1979), Aguilar (1980), Engesser et al. (1981), Baudelot and Collier (1982), Ziegler and Fahlbusch (1986), Wu (1990Wu ( , 1993, Kälin and Engesser (2001), Hír and Mészáros (2002), Schötz (2002), Hír (2004), Aguilar and Lazzari (2006), and García-Alix et al. (2008). are linked to the endolophid. ...
... As the most common Miodyromys species in the Miocene, M. (aff). aegercii was also reported from Vermes 1 (MN 5), Vermes 2 (MN 8) and Anwil (MN 7+8) in Switzerland (Engesser, 1972;Engesser et al., 1981); Sansan, Lucsur-Orbieu and several other localities in France (Baudelot, 1972); Sámsonháza 3 (MN 6) in Hungary (Hír and Mészáros, 2002) as well as Lazarevac (MN 6) in Serbia (Marković , 2008). In Germany, except for the earliest representative in Forsthart, the species continued from MN 5 to MN 8 in Schönenberg, Maßendorf, Puttenhausen, Sandelzhausen, Goldberg, Steinberg, Kleineisenbach, Aumeister (Mayr, 1979;Ziegler and Fahlbusch, 1986;Wu, 1990;Schötz, 2002). ...
... Litke 1 + 2 (Hungary, Nógrád County) contains Cricetodon meini (Hír, 2013) and is thus correlated to the Early to Middle Badenian transition. The Middle Badenian is better documented in the Hungarian Nógrád (Sámsonháza and Hasznos) and Pest Counties (Szentendre; e.g., Hír et al., 1998;Hír and Mészáros, 2002;Kordos, 1986). The transition to Late Badenian is recorded through the three small mammal-bearing layers of the Subpiatrȃ section (Romania, Bihor County; Hír and Venczel, 2005; see also discussion in Hír et al., submitted). ...
... In addition, the lissamphibian and squamate reptile faunas characterized by numerous thermophilous taxa indicate moderately warm conditions with considerably low mean annual precipitation (Venczel and Hír, 2015), but typical groups present during the MMO (e.g., crocodilians) are missing. Notably, crocodiles are known from the lagoonal environment of Sámsonháza 3 (Middle Badenian; Hír and Mészáros, 2002), but we do not notice significant differences with Litke in the small mammal composition, especially the insectivores (Prieto et al., 2012b, 2015). ...
The fossil record from the Carpathian area plays a key role for the understanding of the processes leading to the faunal interchanges between western Europe and Asia Minor during the late part of the Middle Miocene. Important mammal successions are now availablefrom the Central Paratethys, especially Hungary and Romania. Here, we present the current state-of-the-art of the ongoing research concerning these faunas, especially small mammalsand herpetofauna. We underscore the relevance of the Middle to earliest Late Miocene fossilrecord from these countries for chrono(bio)stratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental studies at the Eurasian scale.
... Cricetodon hungaricus and Cricetodon cf. hungaricus were present in the Hasznos and Sámsonháza localities of Hungary ( Fig. 6; middle Badenian; Kordos 1986;Hír and Mészáros 2002). 'Cricetodon' klariankae was recorded from Felsőtákárny-Felnémet 2/3 and 2/7 later, during the late Sarmatian s. str. ...
... In addition, Cricetodon sansaniensis was Europe. The morphology of species present during the middle and earliest late Miocene is illustrated by drawings and photographs of the upper molars and lower molars presented in Kordos (1986), Hír and Mészáros (2002), Daxner-Höck (2003), Hír and Kókay (2004);Hír (2007Hír ( , 2013; Prieto et al. (2010);Hír et al. ( , 2001 and Harzhauser et al. (2011). Biochronological framework includes Central Paratethys stages after Neubauer et al. (2015) reported from Zapfe's Fissure fillings in Devinska Nova Vès, Slovakia (Sabol et al. 2004). ...
The results of our study on the record of the tribe
Cricetodontini (Cricetidae, Rodentia, Mammalia) from the
European latest middle Miocene (Calatayud-Daroca and
Vallès-Penedès basins from Spain, several fissure fillings from
France and several basins and karstic sites from central and
eastern Europe) is presented here. We have analysed the morphological
and diversity patterns of the Cricetodontini and
compared them with those described in the Calatayud-
Daroca Basin in order to evaluate the presence of a general
pattern of the tribe on a European scale. Our findings show the
presence of a high diversity of Cricetodontini during the late
Aragonian (13.80–10.77 Ma) in all of the areas studied in
Europe to date, and that this period of high diversity followed
an interval of low diversity of species with basal morphology.
The Cricetodontini shows a high morphological diversity during
the late Aragonian, and the species present different combinations
of features as well as a high degree of endemicity.
These results are in accordance with the evolutionary patterns
recently described from the Spanish Calatayud-Daroca Basin.
The late Aragonian, throughout all of Europe, represents a
dramatic and important interval for the evolutionary history
of the Cricetodontini.
... Eumyarion aff. bifidus Fahlbusch, 1964 • Hasznos (Kordos 1986) Eumyarion medius (Lartet, 1851) • (Hír et al. 2001) • Sámsonháza (Hír and Mészáros 2002) • Subpiatră 2/2 (Hír and Venczel 2005) • Apfelberg (Daxner-Höck and Höck 2015) Eumyarion latior (Schaub and Zapfe, 1953) • Borský Svätý Jur (Joniak 2005) • Devinska Nová Ves (Neudorf-Spalte), Zapfe's Fissures (Sabol et al. 2004) Eumyarion cf. latior (Schaub and Zapfe, 1953) • Rudabánya (Kretzoi and Fejfar 2005) Eumyarion weinfurteri (Schaub and Zapfe, 1953) • Devinska Nová Ves (Neudorf-Spalte), Zapfe's Fissures (Sabol et al. 2004) Eumyarion leemani (Hartenberger, 1965) ...
The new early Sarmatian microvertebrate localities Kozárd (Hungary, Nógrád County) and Vârciorog (Romania, Bihor County) are of first importance for the understanding of faunal evolution, as well as the palaeoenvironment and palaeoclimate changes during the late middle Miocene in the Central Paratethys. Both localities are rich in Foraminifera and Mollusca. This allows to correlate both continental faunas to the Elphidium reginum foraminifera zone and the Mohrensternia mollusc zone (early Sarmatian s. str.; Serrevalian). Furthermore, Kozárd is the type section of the lithostratigraphical unit Kozárd Formation. The Cricetodontini are the dominant elements in both rodent faunas which also include, beside smaller cricetid rodents, glirids and sciurids. The large hamster species from Vârciorog is described as new species “Cricetodon” venczeli n. sp. The species from Kozárd is a more evolved form, which is very similar to “C.” klariankae from Felsőtárkány-Felnémet 2/3, and thus assigned herein “C.” cf. klariankae. We that these three taxa as belonging to an evolutionary lineage, which underlines their biostratigraphic importance.
... The mammal fauna from Hasznos includes: Cricetodon hungaricus (Kordos, 1986), Democricetodon hasznosensis Kordos, 1986, Megacricetodon 'minor' group, Eumyarion aff. bifidus (Fahlbusch, 1964 (Kordos, 1981(Kordos, , 1986(Kordos, , 1989de Bruijn et al., 1993;Bolliger, 1999;Hír and Mészáros, 2002;Hír and Pászti, 2012;Prieto et al., 2015;J. Hír, personal communication). ...
We record the first fossil bats from the Middle Miocene non-karstic marshy-lagoonal deposits at Hasznos, northern Hungary. The bat material consists of mandible fragments of Miostrellus cf. petersbuchensis and Myotis bavaricus, the vespertilionid species until now recorded only from the Miocene sites of Germany. The discovery suggests an extensive palaeogeographical distribution of these species and connectivity of distribution ranges over the Central Paratethys region during the Late Badenian.
The paper recapitulates data on the fossil insectivore mammals of Ukraine. They include families: Erinaceidae, Talpidae, Dimylidae, Heterosoricidae and Soricidae. In Ukraine the oldest insectivore remains come from the locality of Gritsev and are dated to the early Late Miocene (MN9). The insectivore taxa cited from this country are presented in twelve Tables of three types. One of them lists taxa published with descriptions, measurements, localities and geological ages, the second mentions taxa without descriptions or measurements and the third without descriptions, measurements or exact localities. Short remarks on questionable forms are given.
The author should like to give a summary of the prepannonian miocene fossil rodent faunas from Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. Some of them are well -known localities but another group of these assemblages were excavated by the present author during the last decade.
Several new fossil localities in the Miocene Upper Freshwater Molasse from the district Biberach (Baden-Württemberg) are presented. Together they have so far supplied over 500 remains of small mammals and 200 of large mammals as well a numerous fossils of lesser vertebrata, invertebrata and plants. The large majority of the material derives from the two localities Edelbeuren-Maurerkopf and Wannenwaldtobel 2. The stratigraphy of the outcrops is shown; lists of floras and faunas are given.
An important element of stratigraphy are the so-called „Brockhorizonte“, layers with dislocated fragments of Upper Jurassic limestones, which have been found in the region of the Hochgeländ. They proved to be an excellent stratigraphic marker. Known only in Bavaria and Switzerland thus for, they have now been evidenced for the first time in Baden-Württemberg. Their lithology indicates the fragments to be widely ejected from the Nördlinger Ries by the impact event about 15 million years ago. The age of these layers roughly corresponds with that of the Ries impact; so pre-Ries and post-Ries sediments can be distinguished.
The mammal remains of the localities have been determined, described and biostratigraphically evaluated. The ages of the main localities are as follows: The fauna of Edelbeuren-Maurerkopf is from pre-Ries sediments and can be allocated to the upper part of the mammal unit MN 5 (latest Orleanian); Wannenwaldtobel 2, a fauna from the „Brockhorizont“, belongs to the transitional period MN 5/6 (latest Orleanian to earliest Astaracian); the age of the faunas of Edelbeuren-Schlachtberg and Tobel Oelhalde-Süd can be narrowed down to a range from the upper part of MN 5 to MN 5/6, that of the fauna of Bonlanden with reservation to MN 6. The composition of the mammal faunas and palecological aspects are discussed.
A review is given of more than 10 years of paleontological and stratigraphical work in the type area of the Aragonian. Methods and techniques are described, and an outline is given of the most important biostratigraphical and chronostratigraphical results.
Mátraszőlős is a small village in the South-Eastern part of Nógrád County close to Pásztó. The Rákóczi Chapel is found at the Northern margin of the settlement. A Miocene terrestric-limnic series was described containing Planorbis snailshels by the side of the dirt road between the chapel and the village by HORUSITZKY (1942). Later the sediment series was classified as a part of the Sajóvölgyi Formation by HÁMOR (1985). The locality was excavated by Hír and a student team in 1998. 1000 kg. sample was washwed and sieved from the yellow diatomaceous mud and 600 kg from the underlyer green clay. The systematic elaboration of the molluscs, herpetofauna, bird -remains, rodents and insectivors is given.
Molluscs: The mollusc fauna fauna of Mátraszőlős I. contains 19 taxa. 7 of them are continental element, the others are freshwater species. The Gyraulus species are the most frequent. The biostratigraphical position of the locality is probable Middle Miocene, Late Badenien refering to the mollusc material.
The herpetofauna: The amphibians and the reptiles are represented by 12 taxa in the material. The frequency of them is listed in the text. The majority of the species needed sweetwater circumstances.
Birds: There were 21 taxa separated among 31 very fragmentary bird remains. Majority of them are waterfowls. The speciality of the avifauna from Mátraszőlős I. are the questionable darter (aff. Anhinga sp.) and the Northern ducks, which probably were wintering in this area. Many of the species identified to genera level can be new taxa.The species indicate a warmer climate than that of nowadays and a watery paleoenvironment.
Insectivors and Rodents: The mammals are represented by 9 taxa in the material. All of them are Middle Miocene (MN 6 or MN 7-8 zones) faunal elements. In the present status of the study we can not give a more accurate classification of the biostratigraphic position. Two of the insectivora taxa can be new species. The excavations are continuing with the study of the Mátraszőlős II. locality.
