Introduction

The Vallesian and Early Turolian constitute a period of considerable faunal changes in Central Europe and even show a complete faunal turnover in some families. On the genus level, this period represents the time when the Middle Miocene fauna – still predominant during MN 9 – vanishes and immigrants appear which provide a modern stamp and often include ancestors of the extant fauna. Zone MN 10 is actually the crucial period of the faunal turnover. Therefore, the biostratigraphical subdivision does not follow the same standard throughout the present range charts: zone MN 9 is not further subdivided although there is not much doubt that Götzendorf takes a position pretty close to the MN 9 – MN 10 boundary (see Rögl et al., 1993) while Hammerschmiede and Vösendorf occupy a more basal position within MN 9. On the other hand zone MN 10, although obviously a rather short period in absolute chronology, is subdivided for micromammals into an earlier and later component in order to assess faunal changes during that critical interval. The penecontemporaneous Early Turolian localities Eichkogel and Dorn-Dürkheim 1 are listed for micromammals separately to provide a basis for inferences about latitudinal differences.

Large mammals

There are six groups of Vallesian macromammal sites known from Central Europe that are geographically, stratigraphically, and/or taphonomically different. All are located south of the Main River (Fig. 9.1).