First Turolian findings in the Neogene sequence of Denizli Basin (SW Anatolia) and its regional palaeobiogeographic significance

Abstract

The large fossil vertebrates obtained from the alluvial flood-plain deposits of the Kolankaya formation are determined as Skoufotragus laticeps (Andree, 1926) and Hipparion brachypus (Hensel, 1862), as representative elements of palaeomammal faunas spanning from the eastern Mediterranean to Iranian domains during the late Miocene (early-middle Turolian, MN11-12). These first Turolian records from the basin fill succession bear importance on reconstruction for the palaeobiogeographic diversity of relevant taxons as well as admit of interbasinal stratigraphic correlation for the Western Anatolian terrestrial Neogene basins.

Keywords

• terrestrial neogene
• vertebrate
• turolian
• denizli
• western anatolia.