Amphibians and squamate reptiles from the late Miocene of F?lciu (Eastern Romania)

A moderately diverse fossil amphibian and squamate reptile assemblage, consist-ing of various fragmentary cranial bones, vertebrae and appendicular elements, is reported from the late Miocene (Turolian, MN 11-12) of F??lciu-Prut 1 locality. The fossil assemblage represents a lacustrine taphonomic context, where the skeletal remains reached the burial place after a short transport from a terrestrial environment. The amphibians are represented by salamanders (Chelotriton sp., and Triturus sp.) and anurans (Latonia sp., Pelobates sp., Bufotes cf. viridis and Pelophylax sp.), whereas the squamates by lizards (Lacertidae sp. indet. 1 and 2; Anguinae sp. indet. 1 and 2) and snakes (Scolecophidia indet., Natrix sp., Colubridae indet. and Naja cf. romani). The fauna inhabited probably shrubberies and open woodlands amid mild temperate climate conditions; permanent water sources were present in the area. Zoogeographi-cal links were possible along the northern margin of Paratethys for both the European and Asian faunal representatives. Compared to older and coeval faunas from that region the fauna suggests an environmental shift into a more open environment, resulted from climate aridification. The faunal turnover is highlighted by lack of amphib-ian groups permanently linked to large, well-oxygenated rivers (cryptobranchid sala-manders and proteids) or marshlands (palaeobatrachid frogs) that were still present in older faunas.

Automated summary

This study reports a fossil amphibian and squamate reptile assemblage from the late Miocene, representing a lacustrine taphonomic context. The fauna indicates an environmental shift into a more open habitat, possibly due to climate aridification.