Late Cenozoic

are today's hotspots of crocodylian diversity with up to six (mainly alligatorid) and four (mainly crocodylid) living species respectively, of which usually no more than two or three occur sympatrically. In contrast, during the late Miocene, 14 species existed in South America. Here we show a diversity peak in sympatric occurrence of at least seven species, based on detailed stratigraphic sequence sampling and correlation, involving four geological formations from the middle Miocene to the Pliocene, and on the discovery of two new species and a new occurrence. This degree of crocodylian sympatry is unique in the world and shows that at least several members of Alligatoroidea and Gavialoidea coexisted. By the Pliocene, all these species became extinct, and their extinction was probably related to hydrographic changes linked to the Andean uplift. The extant fauna is first recorded with the oldest Crocodylus species from South America.

Georgia, located between the Black and Caspian Seas in the Caucasus, features three major orographic systems and a mountainous terrain. During the Miocene, it was a single South Caucasian intermontane depression, later divided by the Dzirula Massif. The western part, connected to the Black Sea (Rioni Bay), accumulated marine deposits until the Pleistocene, while the eastern part (Kura Bay) became dry land. This led to independent biota development in Western and Eastern Georgia.

This study explores the upper Cenozoic deposits of Georgia, focusing on Sarmatian and Meotian deposits. It identifies significant environmental changes, such as the transition between the Bessarabian and Khersonian periods and the Meotian-Pontian boundary, marked by climate deterioration. The study includes data from multiple sections across Georgia, reconstructing the continuous history of flora and vegetation from the upper Miocene to the Pleistocene, highlighting the gradual shift from polydominant to monodominant forests. The monograph aims to detail the synchronous impact of tectonic processes on marine and terrestrial biota during the late Miocene.

In the last twenty years, several geological and stratigraphical studies have been undertaken in Córdoba Province, and they have provided useful bases for biostratigraphic work in the late Cenozoic. However, paleontological contributions have been limited to preliminary analyses of mammal assemblages, or specific discoveries. The aim of this work is to contribute to biostratigraphic knowledge of Argentina through the study of late Cenozoic mammals from Córdoba Province. Five localities have been analyzed:

Folivora (Mammalia, Xenarthra) constitutes one of the most characteristic groups of mammals of the Cenozoic of South America, which is represented by several species within of Mylodontidae, Nothrotheriidae, Megatheriidae, and Megalonychidae. The diversity and biostratigraphical relevance of ground sloths recorded in the late Miocene-late Pliocene of Catamarca Province are studied here. The specimens studied come from new collections made in San Fernando Norte locality, and from museum collections from Puerta de Corral Quemado locality, both in Villavil-Quillay Basin, Belén Department, Catamarca Province (Argentina). The fossil record of ground sloths of Catamarca Province analysed here is expanded from the late Miocene to late Pliocene (Messinian to Piacenzian) and it is correlated with the biozones proposed for this basin. The record of the Megatheriinae Pyamidontherium sp. from San Fernando Norte confirms its presence in sediments younger than 5 Ma; the Nothrotheriinae Pronothrotherium typicum presents a very extensive record expanded for more than 3 Ma, and finally, the record of the genus Proscelidodon, represented by Proscelidodon gracillimus constitutes the oldest record of the genus.

are today's hotspots of crocodylian diversity with up to six (mainly alligatorid) and four (mainly crocodylid) living species respectively, of which usually no more than two or three occur sympatrically. In contrast, during the late Miocene, 14 species existed in South America. Here we show a diversity peak in sympatric occurrence of at least seven species, based on detailed stratigraphic sequence sampling and correlation, involving four geological formations from the middle Miocene to the Pliocene, and on the discovery of two new species and a new occurrence. This degree of crocodylian sympatry is unique in the world and shows that at least several members of Alligatoroidea and Gavialoidea coexisted. By the Pliocene, all these species became extinct, and their extinction was probably related to hydrographic changes linked to the Andean uplift. The extant fauna is first recorded with the oldest Crocodylus species from South America.

This paper discusses the results of the first testing of the sediments on pollen content from the Chachuna fossil vertebrate site, Chachuna-2 section, the Upper Sarmatian s.l./Khersonian deposits. Palynological analysis showed that the pollen and spore composition varied in the marine and continental lithofacial units of the section. Mainly subtropical and warm-temperate plants (trees and ferns) were found in the samples from the lower, shallow marine part. Impoverishment of the subtropical hygrophilous plants, decrease of forest elements, and the expansion of herbaceous associations were observed in the upper, continental deposits of the Eldari Formation. Such change in pollen composition might be related with the regression of Kura Bay – a westward extension of the South Caspian Basin of the Eastern Paratethys, as well as with the general trend of aridification during the Late Miocene. However, we refrain from drawing far-going conclusions due to scarcity of data at this stage of ...

On the basis of a newly-constructed record of magnetic susceptibility (SUS) and the depositional rate change of eolian loess-red clay sequences in the last 7.2 Ma BP from the h e a Plateau, together with a cornperison d a record of 6180 values from the equatorial East Pacific Ocean and eolian Quartz flux variations fmm the North Pacific Ocean, the evolutiomuy process of the Late Cenozoic Great Glaciation in the Northern Hemisphere can be divided into three stages: the arrival stage around 7.2-3.4 Ma BP, the initial stage at about 3.4-2.6 Ma BP, and the Great Ice Age since 2.6 Ma BP. The evolution of the East Asian monsoon is characterized by p a i d winter and summer monsoons, and it is basically composed of the initial stage of weak winter and summer monsoons, the transitional st* of simultaneous increase in intensity of winter and summer monsoons, and the prevailing stage of strong winter and week summer monsoons, or weak winter and strong summer monsoons. The Late Cenowic global tectonic uplift, paaicdarly the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau uplift and the associated C@ concentration variation, controls the d n g processes of the onset of Great Glaciation and the long-term changes of East Asian monsoom climate in the Northern Hemisphere to a large extent. The accelerating uplift of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau between 3.4 and 2.6 Ma BP provided an important driving force to global climiatic change. Keywords: Late Cemnoic, eolian depodls of Loescl Plateau, Great GladPtion in the Northern-. East Asian monsoon evolution, Qinghai-Xizang Plateau uplift.

Uplift and exposure of the Bannock detachment system and the synextensional basin fi ll deposits of the Salt Lake Formation provide a unique exposure of the threedimensional geometries of a low-angle normal fault system and the stratal architecture of the overlying supradetachment basin. Within this system, structural and stratigraphic analyses, outcrop patterns, tephra geochronology, and geological cross sections document several important relationships: (1) the Bannock detachment system developed above the Sevier-age Cache-Pocatello culmination and resembles the Sevier Desert detachment in its geometry, structural setting, and kinematic evolution; (2) the Bannock detachment system initiated and slipped at low angles; (3) fl aton-fl at, ramp-fl at, and lateral ramp geometries, as well as excision, can signifi cantly affect the hanging wall deformation style due to the shallow depth (~2-4 km) of the Bannock detachment fault during late stages of slip; (4) late Miocene-Pliocene tuffaceous synrift deposits of the Salt Lake Formation record deposition in a supradetachment basin, display an unroofi ng sequence, and a three-stage evolution that includes pre-translation, translation, and breakup phases. Recycled pre-translation and trans

Folivora (Mammalia, Xenarthra) constitutes one of the most characteristic groups of mammals of the Cenozoic of South America, which is represented by several species within of Mylodontidae, Nothrotheriidae, Megatheriidae, and Megalonychidae. The diversity and biostratigraphical relevance of ground sloths recorded in the late Miocene-late Pliocene of Catamarca Province are studied here. The specimens studied come from new collections made in San Fernando Norte locality, and from museum collections from Puerta de Corral Quemado locality, both in Villavil-Quillay Basin, Belén Department, Catamarca Province (Argentina). The fossil record of ground sloths of Catamarca Province analysed here is expanded from the late Miocene to late Pliocene (Messinian to Piacenzian) and it is correlated with the biozones proposed for this basin. The record of the Megatheriinae Pyamidontherium sp. from San Fernando Norte confirms its presence in sediments younger than 5 Ma; the Nothrotheriinae Pronothrotherium typicum presents a very extensive record expanded for more than 3 Ma, and finally, the record of the genus Proscelidodon, represented by Proscelidodon gracillimus constitutes the oldest record of the genus.

During the Cenozoic, the constant northward movement of the African plate led to the division of the Tethys Ocean into two: the Palaeomediterranean and the Paratethyan branches. The latter was represented by a huge epicontinental sea and brackish to freshwater lakes that extended across central Europe and western Asia. Neogene and Quaternary ostracods from the Paratethys originated through major adaptive radiations, which gave rise to endemic brackish taxa. Unfortunately, much confusion surrounds their taxonomy, due to the quality of descriptions and images in the original literature and the incompleteness of the type material, making necessary a taxonomic revision. In this paper, we propose a systematic revision of several Paratethyan endemic candonid genera based on the analysis of the type material, new material collected from the type localities, and new fossil material from the Ponto-Caspian area. The study focuses on the description of the valve morphology and particularly on the geometric morphometric analysis of the valve outline. Thirty-three genera were taken into account of which four (Advenocypris, Candoniella, Graviacypris, Telekia) were considered to be junior synonyms of Typhlocypris, Pseudocandona or Candona. Moesiella is considered a nomen nudum. In the case of Caspiollina, Dacicandona, Liventalina and Turkmenella the scarcity of material and/or the poor descriptions reported in the literature prevented us from performing a full revision. The monospecific genus Thaminocypris possibly includes a teratological form. The remaining 23 genera were merged into nine valid, endemic, genera (Bakunella, Camptocypria, Caspiocypris, Hastacandona, Lineocypris, Pontoniella, Propontoniella, Typhlocyprella and Zalanyiella). Emended diagnoses and descriptions are proposed for these genera and a new species, Bakunella anae sp. nov., is described. This study considerably reduces the taxonomic uncertainty within the Paratethyan candonids, providing new data for the evaluation of the palaeobiodiversity of the Paratethyan domain. Finally, the palaeobiogeography of Paratethyan candonids during the Neogene and Quaternary is also discussed.

The Rodados Patagónicos is one of the most intriguing lithostratigraphic units in the Late Cenozoic of Patagonia. Charles Darwin named these gravels as the "Patagonian Shingle Formation", when he discovered them during his trip to Patagonia on board HMS Beagle in 1832. According to the prevailing paradigm of the time, he assigned these deposits to a giant transgression during the Great Universal Déluge epoch, considering that their formation was related to wave action along the beach in ancient times. The name of Rodados Patagónicos, as they are generally known in the Argentine geological literature, is usually confusing since it has been applied to a wide number of geological units of multiple origin and age. Many authors have discussed the nature and origin of these gravels, considering them to have been formed by piedmont, alluvial, colluvial, glaciofluvial, and/or marine processes. Today, it is accepted that the term Rodados Patagónicos includes gravel deposits of varied nature and age, perhaps with a prevalence of piedmont genesis in northern Patagonia and glaciofluvial dynamics in southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.

Ander Egg. Estas unidades sedimentarias están expuestas en la Provincia de Entre Ríos. Las direcciones de remanencia magnéticas encontradas permitieron asignar edades magnéticas que llevaron a las siguientes interpretaciones: 1) considerar una edad Matuyama para el Grupo Punta Gorda, con la Fm. La Juanita ubicada en el techo del Sanandresense mientras la Fm. Punta Gorda se habría depositado durante el evento normal Olduvai. 2) La Fm. La Juanita tendría un edad más joven (≤ 1.77 Ma) dentro del cron Matuyama y la Fm. Punta Gorda podría corresponder con el evento normal Jaramillo o alternativamente a la base del cron Bruhnes. La primera opción sugiere que el Grupo Punta Gorda se depositó en un ciclo de sedimentación continua durante el Pleistoceno temprano (2.5-1.77 Ma). Las otras opciones sugieren una secuencia sedimentaria muy extendida temporalmente, desde 2.5 Ma hasta la base del Pleistoceno medio (≤ 0.78 Ma), con unidades separadas por discontinuidades representativas de lapsos significativos. La polaridad normal y la edad Pleistoceno tardío previamente asignada sugieren una edad magnética Bruhnes < 0.78 Ma para la Fm. Salto Ander Egg.

 Quantification of the glacial sediment input to the Arctic Ocean from the northwestern Barents Sea  For the first time, average erosion and erosion rates are estimated from the source area of this margin using the mass balance approach.  These rates are comparable to those reported from other glaciated margin, but only about half compared to the western Barents Sea margin.

Correlations among stratigraphic sequences of the continental late Cenozoic of southeastern Buenos Aires province have been historically based on lithostratigraphy and paleontological content. Recent magnetostratigraphic studies supplied new evidence which, together with biostratigraphy, allowed improvement of the chronostratigraphic framework. Recent studies were conducted at four localities of southeastern Buenos Aires province: Playa Santa Elena, Punta Hermengo, Mar del Sur and Centinela del Mar. The studied sequences at Santa Elena and Mar del Sur show normal magnetic polarity, while Punta Hermengo and Centinela del Mar display levels of reverse polarity. Discontinuities in the sequence of Mar del Sur might explain the absence of sediments of reverse polarity. Thus, some units (the lower ones) could correspond to the normal magnetic events C1r1n and/or C2n, as the fossil fauna collected here has no typical Pliocene components that could suggest an age older than the Gauss-Matuyama boundary (i.e., >2.58 Ma). The basal levels of the profile at Punta Hermengo, with reverse polarity, display Ensenadan fauna. This may be the most recent section of C1r (C1r1r, 0.90-0.78 Ma), which took place after the normal Jaramillo event (C1r1n). The lower unit of Playa Santa Elena, of normal polarity (C1n), bears mammal remains suggesting a late Ensenadan age (<0.78 Ma). The base of the Centinela del Mar sequence that shows reverse polarity levels and bears bones of mammals probably is of undifferentiated Pleistocene age.

The Hydraulic Hypothesis describes the hydraulic pressure effects on the Lithosphere caused by changes in glacial ice thickness, particularly during glacial formation in the Late Tertiary and the Quaternary Ice Age. Tectonic plates covered with glacial ice move vertically due to fluctuating ice loads. Lithospheric depression or rebound occurs until the plates are in isostatic equilibrium. Not considered to date is any counter-effect on tectonic plates not covered by glacial ice. The Hydraulic Hypothesis argues that tectonic plates floating on the Asthenosphere act like pistons in a hydraulic drive system. Hydraulic pressure due to glacial ice load on the Lithosphere transmits rapidly around the entire planet via an enclosed ultra-low-viscosity layer of the Asthenosphere. Vertical force via the Earth's proposed hydraulic drive causes an inverse and equal displacement in tectonic plates and microplates not covered by glacial ice. Gradual glaciation causes these plates to rise in response to increased underlying force. The Hydraulic Hypothesis could explain the phenomenon of Late Cenozoic Uplift and the uplift and closure of the Panama Isthmus, thought to have created the Quaternary Ice Age. Another effect of the Hydraulic Hypothesis could be two significant increases in past volcanic activity on Earth during the Middle Miocene and Late Cenozoic.

The Taman sections, reference for the Neogene of the Eastern Paratethys, are investigated thor oughly paleontologically and stratigraphically, with level by level description of four sections, correlated in detail with each other; fossil remains coming from them are examined conjointly, with uniform binding to the sections. The composition of malacofaunas and foraminifers allowed the recognition of all regional stages and substages from the Upper Chokrakian to Middle Kimmerian, their boundaries, and correlation with the Kerch stratotypes. The study of the taxonomic composition of ostracods improved the boundaries of strati graphic ranges of particular species. The complete and continuous sequence of Karaganian-Konkian depos its has provided the data improving the volume and boundaries of the Konkian Regional Stage and showing that it is divided into three units. Investigation of these groups provided the stratigraphical basis for pioneer studies of phytoplankton; the taxonomic composition and distribution in the sections of nannoplankton, dia toms, and organic walled phytoplankton are investigated completely for the first time; the points of penetra tion of marine water into the basin are recognized. The most reliable tool for correlation of deposits in a semi closed basin is distribution of "ecologically plastic" groups that are able to tolerate a wide range of salinity and variation of the gas regime, such as mollusks, benthic foraminifers, and, among phytoplankton, diatoms and dinocysts. The appearance of stratigraphically significant diatom and nannoplankton species in Konkian, Sarmatian, and Maeotian deposits allowed the comparison of intervals of their presence with the oceanic zones where these index species are provided with absolute dating. The level by level palynological charac teristics of the beds is reported, providing the basis for reconstruction of climatic changes in this region.

The limits of the Kura bay and of the adjoining tectonic high zones and depressions were inherited from the Middle Miocene and continued to exist. They had an important role in controlling the distribution of the sedimentary facies. The poorness in marine faunas of the Early Sarmatian deposits, together with the character of thickness and facies, suggest that these sediments formed in a big brackish basin. Towards the north and south from this basin, great mountain ranges of sublatitudinal direction existed. At the beginning of the Middle Sarmatian there were no important changes in the palaeogeographical and geotectonical situation. The basin expanded slightly towards the north, which is reflected by transgressive deposits of the Middle Sarmatian age on the northern Kakheti range (Chailuri, Manavi, Burdiani). The relatively homogeneous facies allows to suppose that the palaeogeographical and sedimentary conditions did not change for a long time. The orogenic movements, which began ...

In the last twenty years, several geological and stratigraphical studies have been undertaken in Córdoba Province, and they have provided useful bases for biostratigraphic work in the late Cenozoic. However, paleontological contributions have been limited to preliminary analyses of mammal assemblages, or specific discoveries. The aim of this work is to contribute to biostratigraphic knowledge of Argentina through the study of late Cenozoic mammals from Córdoba Province. Five localities have been analyzed:

Based on the obtained results and taking into account the fact that existence of "Tenuitellianta Zone" in Georgia is indicated along the boundary of Upper Sartaganian and Lower Veseliankian, we can suggest that it will be correct to lay the boundary between the Konkian and Sarmatian regional stages along the Veseliankian bottom (Fig. 3).

The Late Cenozoic evolution of the eastern Aegean is dominated by widespread continental extension. The most prominent structures are E—W- and NE—SW-trending grabens and intervening horsts, while NW—SE- and N—S-trending faults form the other less important structures. This paper documents the results of recent geological mapping and structural and stratigraphical analysis from the Halitpafla half graben, which forms the northwestern continuation of the Gediz Graben. Field evidence for a new NW—SE-trending dextral wrench-dominated fault zone (here named the Halitpafla transpression zone), which involved the thrusting of pre-Palaeogene basement onto Upper Miocene—Lower Pliocene sediments, is presented. The fault zone is correlated with the timing of a major unconformity that separates Upper Miocene—Lower Pliocene lacustrine sediments (Develi and Halitpafla formations) from overlying late Early Pliocene, distal alluvial-fan sediments (K›z›ldaFormation). The field relations and mammalia...

Late Cenozoic bivalve extinction in the North Atlantic and adjacent areas has been attributed to environmental change (declines in temperature and primary production). Within scallops and oysters-bivalve groups with a high growth rate-certain taxa which grew exceptionally fast became extinct, while others which grew slower survived. The taxa which grew exceptionally fast would have obtained protection from predators thereby, so their extinction may have been due to the detrimental effect of environmental change on growth rate and ability to avoid predation, rather than environmental change per se. We investigated some glycymeridid and carditid bivalves-groups with a much lower growth rate than scallops and oysters-to see whether extinct forms from the late Cenozoic of the North Atlantic grew faster than extant forms, and hence whether their extinction may also have been mediated by increased mortality due to predation. Growth rate was determined from the cumulative width 2 of annual increments in the hinge area; measurements were scaled up to overall shell size for the purposes of comparison with data from living species. Growth of the extinct glycymeridid Glycymeris subovata was at about the same rate as the slowest-growing living glycymeridid and much slower than in late Cenozoic samples of extant G. americana, in which growth was at about the same rate as the fastest-growing living glycymeridid. Growth of extinct G. obovata was also slower than G. americana, and that of the extinct carditid Cardites squamulosa ampla similarly slow (evidently slower than in the one living carditid species for which data are available). These findings indicate that within bivalve groups whose growth is much slower than scallops and oysters, extinction or survival of taxa through the late Cenozoic was not influenced by whether they were relatively fast or slow growers. By implication, environmental change acted directly to cause extinctions in slow-growing groups, rather than by increasing susceptibility to predation.

Correlations among stratigraphic sequences of the continental late Cenozoic of southeastern Buenos Aires province have been historically based on lithostratigraphy and paleontological content. Recent magnetostratigraphic studies supplied new evidence which, together with biostratigraphy, allowed improvement of the chronostratigraphic framework. Recent studies were conducted at four localities of southeastern Buenos Aires province: Playa Santa Elena, Punta Hermengo, Mar del Sur and Centinela del Mar. The studied sequences at Santa Elena and Mar del Sur show normal magnetic polarity, while Punta Hermengo and Centinela del Mar display levels of reverse polarity. Discontinuities in the sequence of Mar del Sur might explain the absence of sediments of reverse polarity. Thus, some units (the lower ones) could correspond to the normal magnetic events C1r1n and/or C2n, as the fossil fauna collected here has no typical Pliocene components that could suggest an age older than the Gauss-Matuyama boundary (i.e., >2.58 Ma). The basal levels of the profile at Punta Hermengo, with reverse polarity, display Ensenadan fauna. This may be the most recent section of C1r (C1r1r, 0.90-0.78 Ma), which took place after the normal Jaramillo event (C1r1n). The lower unit of Playa Santa Elena, of normal polarity (C1n), bears mammal remains suggesting a late Ensenadan age (<0.78 Ma). The base of the Centinela del Mar sequence that shows reverse polarity levels and bears bones of mammals probably is of undifferentiated Pleistocene age.

Chersonian (Upper). According to tectonic zoning scheme of the territory of Georgia (Gamkrelidze, 2000), the main area of Sarmatian sediments distribution is the Eastern zone of sinking (Kura intermountain depression) of Transcaucasian intermountain area. Which in its turn is divided into Kartly, Garekakhety (Outer Kakhety) and Alasani superimposed (Fig. 2) molassic subzone .

Fil: Walther, Ana Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Geociencias Basicas, Aplicadas y Ambientales de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Geociencias Basicas, Aplicadas y Ambientales de Buenos Aires; Argentina

Abstract: The Late Cenozoic evolution of the eastern Aegean is dominated by widespread continental extension. The most prominent structures are EW-and NE-SW-trending grabens and intervening horsts, while NW-SE-and NS-trending faults form the other less important structures. This ...

Chersonian (Upper). According to tectonic zoning scheme of the territory of Georgia (Gamkrelidze, 2000), the main area of Sarmatian sediments distribution is the Eastern zone of sinking (Kura intermountain depression) of Transcaucasian intermountain area. Which in its turn is divided into Kartly, Garekakhety (Outer Kakhety) and Alasani superimposed (Fig. 2) molassic subzone .

The biostratigraphic correlation of Late Miocene deposits from different sectors of the Paratethys is very complex because of different biodynamic conditions established in the western, middle and eastern Paratethys beginning from the end of the Middle Miocene. In recent years great attention was paid to the biostratigraphic correlation of Late Miocene deposits from different sectors of the Paratethys (Maisuradze, 1980; Papp et al., 1974; Venglinski, 1975; Cicha et al., 1998). In Eastern Georgia, Sarmatian deposits have a wide distribution and are characterised by different fossil groups. Mollusks are currently considerably well known, however, some levels do not contain this group and correlation of the outcrops may prove difficult. Micropalaeontological investigations of foraminifera contained in Sarmatian sediments of Eastern Georgia are in the initial phase. This research provides new data on the vertical distribution of foraminifera from Sarmatian deposits of Eastern Georgia an...

Биостратиграфия сарматских отложений Жинвальско-Гомборской подзоны по фораминиферам и нанопланктону. Л.С.Маисурадзе 1 , Ц.Д.Минашвили 2 , К.П.Коиава 2. 1 Институт палеобиологии АН Гру-зии, ул. Ниагварская 4, 0104 Тбилиси; 2 Геологический институт АН Грузии, ул. М.Алексидзе, 1/9, 0193 Тбилиси (koiava_ka@yahoo.com) На основании изучения фораминифер в скв. Карас №1, у с.Череми (Восточная Грузия-Кахети) удалось установить среднеи нижнесарматские отложения и часть конкского региояруса-веселянские слои. А изучение нанопланктона позволило выделить: NN8 (Catinaster coalitus) зону в среднем сармате, слои с Coccolithus floridanus в нижнем сармате и нерасчлененную зону NN6-7 (Discoaster exilis, D. kugleri) в конкском региоярусе.

The foraminifers and palynomorphs from the Late Cenozoic in Eastern and Western Georgia were studied in more than 45 sections. The evolution of the foraminifers is traced and development stages are distinguished for the Sarmatian and the Meotian. The landscape-phytocenological method allows interpreting the evolution of vegetation depending on climatic fluctuations. Common turning-points in the development of marine and terrestrial biocoenoses are recognized and connected with changes in paleogeography and depositional environments in the region of today's Caucasus during the Late Cenozoic.