AGE OF THE SHAND GOL FAUNA AND EVOLUTION OF CENTRAL ASIA MAMMALS IN THE OLIGOCENE

Abstract

Analysis of the Oligocene mammalian fauna of Central Asia with consideration of the data on climatic evolution and geochronology revealed relations between major biotic events, which occurred in the studied region, and global events, and elucidated peculiarities of prochoreses and faunal exchange. The Shand Gol fauna belonged to the Central Asia biochore, whose mammal community remained almost stable throughout the Oligocene. It experienced minor changes because of the evolution of the autochtonous species and immigration of strangers during the regression. The appearance and extinction of the Shand Gol fauna and three successive stages of its evolution are related to global events across the Eocene-Oligocene and Oligocene-Miocene boundaries.