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Ectothermic vertebrates from the late Middle Miocene of Gratkorn (Austria, Styria)

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Abstract

In this paper, we present the ectothermic vertebrate fauna from the late Middle Miocene locality Gratkorn (Austria). In total, 2 fish, 8 amphibian and 17 reptile taxa have been described. Among them reptiles are the most abundant group. Fish remains are very rare and comprise only small-sized cyprinids (Leuciscinae indet.) and gobiids (Gobiidae indet.). Caudates are represented by a small-sized newt (Triturus sp. aff. T. vulgaris), a salamander (Salamandra sansaniensis), and a crocodile newt (Chelotriton aff. paradoxus). Anurans are documented by Rana sp., Pelophylax sp., Latonia sp., Bufotes cf. viridis, and Pelobates sanchizi. The most diverse and numerous ectothermic vertebrate group are scincomorph reptiles (lizards), of which more than 30 bones belonging to six taxa (Scincidae indet., Lacerta s.l. sp. 1–3, Miolacerta tenuis, ?Edlartetia sp.) have been recognised. Gecko remains (Gekkonidae indet.) are rare. Anguimorphs are represented by a large monitor lizard (Varanus sp.) and a small-size species of Ophisaurus spinari. Four snake taxa are present in Gratkorn: two “small-sized colubrins” Colubrinae sp. 1 and sp. 2, a natricine (Natricinae sp.), and a cobra (Naja sp.). Turtles are represented by two aquatic turtles (Clemmydopsis turnauensis, Chelydropsis murchisonae) and two terrestrial tortoises (Testudo cf. steinheimensis, Testudo cf. kalksburgensis). The fauna of amphibians and reptiles of Gratkorn (layer 11b) reflects a variety of habitats, relatively sparsely vegetated floodplain with sandy soils, including short-lived ponds, streams or rivulets in the close vicinity, relatively open landscapes, with a dry, semi-arid climate (MAP 486 ± 252 mm).

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Abbreviations

GPIT:

Paläontologische Sammlung der Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

UMJGP:

Universalmuseum Joanneum, Graz, Austria

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr. Martin Gross (Universalmuseum Joanneum, Graz) for his support and providing the material studied. Dr. Jérôme Prieto (Universität Müchen) is thanked for fruitful comments, providing material and linguistic help. We are grateful to Agnes Fatz and Wolfgang Gerber (Universtiät Tübingen) for producing the photographs used in Figs. 2 and 3. We are grateful to reviewers Krister Smith (Senckenberg, Frankfurt) and Jean-Claude Rage (MNHN, Paris) for criticism and constructive reviews, which improved the manuscript.

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  1. Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Sigwartstraße 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany

    Madelaine Böhme & Davit Vasilyan

  2. Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment (HEP), Sigwartstraße 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany

    Madelaine Böhme

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  1. Madelaine Böhme
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Correspondence to Davit Vasilyan.

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This article is a contribution to the special issue “The Sarmatian vertebrate locality Gratkorn, Styrian Basin.”

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Böhme, M., Vasilyan, D. Ectothermic vertebrates from the late Middle Miocene of Gratkorn (Austria, Styria). Palaeobio Palaeoenv 94, 21–40 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12549-013-0143-7

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