M. Pickford et al., FOSSIL CAMELS FROM THE UPPER MIOCENE OF EUROPE - IMPLICATIONS FOR BIOGEOGRAPHY AND FAUNAL CHANGE, Geobios, 28(5), 1995, pp. 641-650
The discovery of fossil camels at two localities of upper Miocene age
in Spain (Zone MN 13, c.7.5-6.5 Ma) provides important constraints on
phylogenetic and palaeobiogeographic interpretations of Old World came
ls. The arrival of camels in Spain coincided in time with major faunal
turnover events in the Old and New Worlds and with the Rhodanian tect
ogenic phase. The same period was also one of important climatic chang
es in various parts of the world, including India and East Africa. The
faunal evidence suggests that the latest Miocene was a period of rath
er drastic adjustment to palaeozoogeographic boundaries, while the evi
dence for increased tectogenesis indicates a possible cause of this tu
rbulent period in the history of the Earth's biosphere and atmosphere.