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The Mammal Paleogene zones or MP zones are system of biostratigraphic zones in the stratigraphic record used to correlate mammal-bearing fossil localities of the Paleogene period of Europe. It consists of thirty consecutive zones (numbered MP 1 through MP 30; MN 8 and 9 have been joined into MN 8 + 9 zone; and MP 17 zone is split into two zones - MP 17A and MP 17B zone) defined through reference faunas, well-known sites that other localities can be correlated with. MP 1 is the earliest zone, and MP 30 is the most recent. The MP zones are complementary with the MN zones in the Neogene.
These zones were proposed at the Congress in Mainz held in 1987 to help paleontologists provide more specific reference points to evolutionary events in Europe, but are used by paleontologists on other continents as well. [1]
Epoch | ICS age | ELMMZ | Age (Ma) |
---|---|---|---|
Miocene | Aquitanian | Agenian | younger |
Oligocene | Chattian | Arvernian | 23.03–29.2 |
Rupelian | |||
Suevian | 29.2–33.8 | ||
Headonian | 33.8–37.2 | ||
Eocene | Priabonian | ||
Bartonian | Robiacian | 37.2–42.7 | |
Lutetian | |||
Geiseltalian | 42.7–48.5 | ||
Grauvian | 48.5–50.8 | ||
Ypresian | |||
Neustrian | 50.8–55.0 | ||
Paleocene | Thanetian | ||
Cernaysian | 55.0–55.9 | ||
Subdivision of the Paleogene period into European Land Mammal Mega Zones (ELMMZ). |
The zones are as follows:
Interval | Start | End | ICS stages [2] |
---|---|---|---|
MP 30 | 23.2 Ma [3] | 23.03 ± 0.05 Ma [1] [4] [3] | Chattian |
MP 29 | 23.9 Ma [3] | 23.2 Ma | Chattian |
MP 28 | 24.6 ± 0.1 Ma [4] [3] | 23.9 Ma | Chattian |
MP 27 | 25.4 Ma [3] | 24.6 ± 0.1 Ma | Chattian |
MP 26 | 27.3 Ma [3] | 25.4 Ma | Chattian |
MP 25 | 28.8 Ma [3] | 27.3 Ma | Chattian - Rupelian |
MP 24 | 30.0 Ma [3] | 28.8 Ma | Rupelian |
MP 23 | 30.9 ± 0.1 Ma [4] [3] | 30.0 Ma | Rupelian |
MP 22 | 32.5 Ma [3] | 30.9 ± 0.1 Ma | Rupelian |
MP 21 | 33.9 ± 0.05 Ma [4] [3] | 32.5 Ma | Rupelian |
MP 20 | 34.0 Ma [3] | 33.9 ± 0.05 Ma | Priabonian |
MP 19 | 35.0 Ma [3] | 34.0 Ma | Priabonian |
MP 18 | 37.0 Ma [3] | 35.0 Ma | Priabonian |
MP 17B | 37.5 Ma [3] | 37.0 Ma | Priabonian |
MP 17A | 37.8 Ma [3] | 37.5 Ma | Priabonian |
MP 16 | 40.0 Ma [3] | 37.8 Ma | Bartonian |
MP 15 | 41.2 Ma [3] | 40.0 Ma | Lutetian |
MP 14 | 43.5 Ma [3] | 41.2 Ma | Lutetian |
MP 13 | 44.9 Ma [3] | 43.5 Ma | Lutetian |
MP 12 | 46.3 Ma [3] | 44.9 Ma | Lutetian |
MP 11 | 47.8 Ma [3] | 46.3 Ma | Lutetian |
MP 10 | 50.8 Ma [3] | 47.8 Ma | Ypresian |
MP 8 + 9 | 55.2 Ma [3] | 50.8 Ma | Ypresian |
MP 7 | 56.0 Ma [3] | 55.2 Ma | Ypresian |
MP 6 | 57.2 Ma [3] | 56.0 Ma | Thanetian |
MP 5 | 57.2 Ma | Thanetian | |
MP 4 | Paleocene series | ||
MP 3 | Paleocene series | ||
MP 2 | Paleocene series | ||
MP 1 | 66.043 ± 0.011 Ma [5] | 61.7 ± 0.05 Ma [6] | Danian |
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MN may refer to:
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The Priabonian is, in the ICS's geologic timescale, the latest age or the upper stage of the Eocene Epoch or Series. It spans the time between 37.71 and33.9 Ma. The Priabonian is preceded by the Bartonian and is followed by the Rupelian, the lowest stage of the Oligocene.
The Rupelian is, in the geologic timescale, the older of two ages or the lower of two stages of the Oligocene Epoch/Series. It spans the time between 33.9 and27.82 Ma. It is preceded by the Priabonian Stage and is followed by the Chattian Stage.
The Chattian is, in the geologic timescale, the younger of two ages or upper of two stages of the Oligocene Epoch/Series. It spans the time between 27.82 and23.03 Ma. The Chattian is preceded by the Rupelian and is followed by the Aquitanian.
Amphicyon is an extinct genus of large carnivorans belonging to the family Amphicyonidae, subfamily Amphicyoninae, from the Miocene epoch. Members of this family received their vernacular name for possessing bear-like and dog-like features. They ranged over North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
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