EARLY RECORD OF INDRICOTHERE (MAMMALIA, PERISSODACTYLA, HYRACODONTIDAE) FROM THE ARAL SEA REGION OF WESTERN KAZAKHSTAN

Upper molar fragments of the indricothere rhinoceros Paraceratherium s p. are described from the Chilikta Formation at Altyn Chokysu, north o f the Aral Sea in western Kazakhstan. Marine bivalves indicate the Chi likta Formation is of early Oligocene (Late Rupelian) age, and thus pr ovide the first direct cross-correlation of an occurrence of Paracerat herium with the marine timescale. This find extends the temporal range of Paraceratherium in the Aral Sea region back from the late Oligocen e to the early Oligocene, making it consistent with the temporal range noted for the genus in China. Paraceratherium thus had a geologically synchronous first appearance across Eurasia during the late early Oli gocene.