Ruscinian

The Ruscinium is a regional level in the terrestrial Neogene of Europe. It corresponds to the zone MN 14 and 15 of the European land mammal chronology ( ELMMZ = " European Land Mammal Mega - Zoness "). It is underlain by Turolium and overlaid by Villafranchian.

History and type locality

The stage was proposed by M. Kretzoi 1962. It is named after Ruscino, the Latin name of Roussillon (France). The type locality is Serrat d'en Vacquer near Perpignan ( Roussillon, France).

Definition

The lower limit is defined by the onset of Großsäugetiertaxa Sus arvernensis, Croizetoceros, Acinonyx and Felis issiodorensis, among small mammals, there are Promimomys, Trilophomys, Celadensia and Castor. The stage ends with the first appearances of Eucladoceros ( large mammals ) and Kislangia gusi, Mimomys tornensis, Mimomys pliocaenicus and Mimomys reidi ( small mammals ). The Ruscinium can be correlated with the greater part of the Zancleums. Geochronological, this corresponds approximately to of 4.9 million to 3.5 million years BP.

Subdivision

The stage is divided into two biozones MN 14 and 15. Accordingly, the stage is divided into Upper and Lower Ruscinium.