Late Miocene carnivores of the Greco-Iranian Province: Composition, guild structure and palaeoecology

The Late Miocene carnivore assemblages of the Greco-Iranian Province (Balkans, Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan) are analyzed by different methods to determine their relationships and palaeoecology. The carnivores are separated into five assemblages according to their MN age (European Neogene Mammal Zones). Faunal composition, three-dimensional guild structure diagrams and multivariate analysis are used for their study and comparison. The Late Miocene carnivore assemblages of the studied area are characterized by the dominance of hyaenids, while percrocutids and felids are more abundant in the Vallesian and Turolian, respectively. The predators of the Greco-Iranian Province were generally living in an open environment, as indicated by the analysis and comparison of their guild structure with modern assemblages. The guild structure diagrams of all carnivore assemblages resemble to that of the modern Serengeti one, corresponding to an open environment. Similar results about their environments were obtained from their multivariate analysis and comparison with modern assemblages from known environments. The Late Miocene carnivore assemblages match together in a group which can be clearly correlated to the modern assemblages from open habitats. There are, however, some small differences between the Vallesian (early Late Miocene) and Turolian (late Late Miocene) palaeoenvironmental conditions. The Vallesian palaeoenvironment was relatively wetter and more closed than that of the Turolian. The Turolian is characterized by an increase of the open character until the Late Turolian, when there are indications for wetter and more closed conditions, as indicated by the guild structure of the MN 13 assemblage.

Research Highlights
► The Late Miocene palaeoecology of Eastern Mediterranean is studied.
► It is based on the carnivore composition and guild structure.
► In comparison with modern faunas and using different methods.
► The environment was open/dry with small trees, bushes and schrubs.
► During Vallesian was more closed than Turolian, while during Latest Miocene became wetter and patchy.