BACKGROUND Prophoca and Leptophoca represent the oldest known genera of phocine seals, dating from the latest early to middle Miocene. Originally, Prophoca rousseaui and Prophoca proxima were described based on fragmentary remains from the Miocene of Belgium. However, several researchers contested the union of Prophoca rousseaui and Prophoca proxima into one genus, without providing evidence. T...

Cephalopod specimens assigned to the Argonautidae ( Obinautilus pulchra Kobayashi, 1954 and an unknown taxon) from two localities of Mishan Formation in Gohreh Khorgu sections, Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, are reported for first time Persian Gulf area. The co-existing foraminifera confirm middle Miocene age strata. Based on micropalaeontological data, previous Oligocene Obinautilus pulchra is e...

The alkenone-pCO2 methodology has been used to reconstruct the partial pressure of ancient atmospheric carbon dioxide (pCO2) for the past 45 million years of Earth's history (Middle Eocene to Pleistocene epochs). The present long-term CO2 record is a composite of data from multiple ocean localities that express a wide range of oceanographic and algal growth conditions that potentially bias CO2 ...

Melanopsis fateljensis (Caenogastropoda: Cerithiimorpha: Melanopsidae) is described as a new species from the early Middle Miocene lacustrine deposits of the Kupres Basin. Similarities to other co-occurring melanopsids are discussed. Its unique morphology, in particular the elongate, stepped spire with prominent spiral bulges, clearly distinguishes the new species from all other Melanopsidae kn...

The evolution of the western Mediterranean of an 'interna1 zone plate' by the mechanism basin is considered. The Provence basin invoked by Karig. Lower or middle Miocene results from the Oligocene migration of Conica squeezing of the interna1 zones against the and Sardinia southeastwards. The North North Afncan platform caused ejection of the African basin was created by the dislocation flysch ...

Balaenidae (right and bowhead whales) are a key group in understanding baleen whale evolution, because they are the oldest surviving lineage of crown Mysticeti, with a fossil record that dates back ∼20 million years. However, this record is mostly Pliocene and younger, with most of the Miocene history of the clade remaining practically unknown. The earliest recognized balaenid is the early Mioc...