Updated Miocene mammal biochronology of Slovakia

Revisory studies together with the new research results have made it possible to update our knowledge about the biochronology of terrestrial records from the Miocene epoch in the Slovak territory of the Western Carpathians. Data from more than 30 localities, mainly based on mammalian assemblages, provide an overview of the evolution of terrestrial vertebrate communities in response to climate and environmental changes in the Central Paratethys region (especially in its NW area) for about 12 million years, from the early Miocene (MN3) to the end of this epoch (MN13). Based on the determined faunistic assemblages, local reference localities (LRL) were determined and correlated with MN units. These are as follows: localities in the territory of Devínska Nová Ves (MN6), Borský Svätý Jur (MN9), Pezinok (MN10), Triblavina (MN11), and Šalgovce (MN12). Well-documented paleontological and geological records at sites from the territory of Devínska Nová Ves have also made possible to introduce the name “Devínska Nová Ves” for the local faunal complex, corresponding to the MN6 unit.