Records of Metaxytberium medium (Mammalia: Sirenia) from Tortonian (Late Miocene) sediments from the Arenaria di Ponsano Formation (Tuscany, Italy) are described. They consist of fragmentary specimens, including several partial cranial elements representing at least three skulls, two humeri, fragments of vertebrae and some incomplete ribs. The new Tuscan records confirm the wide diffusion of Metaxytberium in the Mediterranean during the Miocene. This sirenian's occurrence in the Arenaria di Ponsano sediments is in accordance with the shelf environment indicated by other fossils. The low sea botton was at least partially covered by segrass meadows, the food source of this dugongid.
Metaxytherium medium (Mammalia:Sirenia) from Upper Miocene sediments of the Arenaria di Ponsano Formation (Tuscany, Italy)
BIANUCCI, GIOVANNI;LANDINI, WALTER
2003-01-01
Abstract
Records of Metaxytberium medium (Mammalia: Sirenia) from Tortonian (Late Miocene) sediments from the Arenaria di Ponsano Formation (Tuscany, Italy) are described. They consist of fragmentary specimens, including several partial cranial elements representing at least three skulls, two humeri, fragments of vertebrae and some incomplete ribs. The new Tuscan records confirm the wide diffusion of Metaxytberium in the Mediterranean during the Miocene. This sirenian's occurrence in the Arenaria di Ponsano sediments is in accordance with the shelf environment indicated by other fossils. The low sea botton was at least partially covered by segrass meadows, the food source of this dugongid.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
