A General Overview of the Taxonomy of Microstonyx (Suidae) During the Late Miocene Period in Eurasia

Abstract

The paleo-biogeographic distribution and bio-stratigraphic differences of Microstonyx in the Eastern Mediterranean region during the Late Miocene period (11.63-5.333 million years) have been discussed in the literature for a long time. The complexity of time, gender, and regional differences makes this Late Miocene pig notably characteristic of Eurasia. Ecologically, with the increase in open and dry areas in the Vallesian and Turolian periods, adapted very quickly to the differences in habitats. Small morphological differences make the subspecies distinction of Microstonyx extremely sensitive. The status of this subspecies is based on three different basic principles. The first of these is the chronological order, the second is the geographical distribution and the third is the decreasing dimensions starting from MN 12. Species extinction peaked during MN 12/13 and ended simultaneously with the retreat of the Mediterranean and Patratethys (7-5 Ma). In the geographical regions from the Mediterranean to Central Europe during the MN 13 period, Microstonyx’s presence in habitable lake systems in greener higher places rather than in savannah-like open areas supports this hypothesis. Moreover, its cranial morphology and the common fauna sharing in the ecosystem also confirm this situation. The evolution of Microstonyx is particularly flexible to ecological changes. This study aimed to bring a general perspective to the ecological adaptation and the geographical and stratigraphic differences of Microstonyx, the common pig of the Eastern Mediterranean region in the Late Miocene period.

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