This paper investigates the paleoecology of the Neogene savanna in the northern Black Sea region during the late Miocene, focusing on the “ fauna” that inhabited the area. The study explores the dietary habits of various ungulates and carnivorans through dental mesowear and microwear patterns, aiming to infer aspects of trophic interactions and ecological niches occupied by different species. The research covers three sites that span from the late Khersonian (late Tortonian; MN11) to the late Maeotian (Messinian; MN13) stages. We report catastrophic bone accumulation at the Grebeniki and Cioburciu 1 sites. Results indicate a significant dietary diversity that is challenging the traditional assumptions about the “ fauna”. Rhinoceroses, specifically and , are identified as true grazers, contradicting previous beliefs about their preference for forested or swampy ecosystems. The hipparions, traditionally considered open landscape foragers, are revealed as browsers or mixed-feeders. The study also highlights the diverse dietary traits among small antelopes, giraffids, and suids, emphasizing their adaptability to various environmental conditions. Data obtained on the hyaenid indicate a diet very similar to that of the bone-cracking spotted hyena. The microwear pattern of the cubs was very different from both adults and any other carnivorans used for comparison. The large felid was characterized by a hypercarnivorous diet similar to lions, while smaller-size was characterized by a more opportunistic feeding strategy. These findings suggest similarities and differences in feeding patterns between modern and Neogene savanna mammals. The presence of both grazing and browsing herbivores indicates a more heterogeneous landscape, with a mixture of open grasslands and denser vegetation. Additionally, the paper provides insights into the changing paleoenvironment, suggesting a transition from wooded grasslands to open landscapes during the late Miocene. Overall, this research contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the Neogene savanna ecosystem and challenges existing perceptions of the paleoecology of the “ fauna” in the northern Black Sea region.

中文翻译：

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新近纪稀树草原的故事：中新世晚期黑海北部地区的三趾马动物群的古生态学

本文研究了中新世晚期黑海北部地区新近纪稀树草原的古生态，重点关注居住在该地区的“动物群”。该研究通过牙齿中磨损和微磨损模式探索各种有蹄类动物和食肉动物的饮食习惯，旨在推断不同物种占据的营养相互作用和生态位。该研究涵盖了从赫尔松晚期（托尔托阶晚期；MN11）到梅奥蒂阶晚期（麦西尼亚阶；MN13）阶段的三个地点。我们报告了 Grebeniki 和 Cioburciu 1 遗址发生了灾难性的骨堆积。结果表明，显着的饮食多样性正在挑战关于“动物群”的传统假设。犀牛，特别是犀牛，被认为是真正的食草动物，这与之前关于它们偏爱森林或沼泽生态系统的看法相矛盾。传统上，三趾马被认为是开放景观觅食者，但现在却被认为是浏览者或混合饲养者。该研究还强调了小羚羊、长颈鹿和猪科动物的多样化饮食特征，强调它们对各种环境条件的适应性。从鬣狗身上获得的数据表明，它们的饮食与会碎骨的斑鬣狗非常相似。幼崽的微磨损图案与成年幼崽和用于比较的任何其他食肉动物非常不同。大型猫科动物的特点是与狮子类似的过度肉食性饮食，而体型较小的猫科动物的特点是更加机会主义的喂养策略。这些发现表明现代和新近纪稀树草原哺乳动物之间的进食模式有相似之处和差异。放牧和觅食的食草动物的存在表明景观更加多样化，既有开阔的草原，也有更茂密的植被。此外，本文还提供了对不断变化的古环境的见解，表明中新世晚期从树木繁茂的草原到开阔的景观的转变。总体而言，这项研究有助于全面了解新近纪稀树草原生态系统，并挑战黑海北部地区“动物群”古生态学的现有认知。