Review

Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Vol. 21 No. 2, June 2001, p. 402

THE MIOCENE LAND MAMMALS OF EUROPE, by Gertrud E. Rössner and Kurt Heissig (eds.), 1999.
Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil, München, Germany, 515 pp., 269 figures, 56 tables, hardback,
USA $182.50, ISBN 3-931516-50-4.

This book is a monumental undertaking; one devoted to the biochronology and the variable mammalian taxa of the European Miocene. The volume is dedicated to Volker Fahlbusch. Forty-six chapters are grouped into three major sections: (1) Continental European Miocene, (2) European Miocene Land Mammals in Systematic Order, and (3) Intercontinental Relationships and Island Faunas.

Chapter one by E Steininger is entitled Chronostratigraphy, Geochronology, and Biochronology of the Miocene "European Land Mammal Mega-Zones" (the latter names are shortened to ELMMZ). The discussion of each ELMMZ is provided with a definition, geochronologic duration, and the chronostratigraphic correlation. ELMMZ, such as Agenian, are then subdivided into Neogene Mammal (MN) Zones. The discussion of the MN is provided with a magnetostratigraphic calibration, geochronologic calibrations, chronostratigraphic correlation, and an overall discussion. Figure 1.1 is an elaborate chronologic correlation chart of the circum-Mediterranean marine-continental units and zones.

Chapter 2 by P. Mein (European Miocene Mammal Biochronology) is an excellent compendium to the first chapter E Rögl provides, in chapter 3, a short, concise overview of the distribution of the mammals, migration events, and in situ evolution. These first three chapters clearly and concisely set the stage to understanding the European Miocene.

The second section of the book, with its systematic coverage of the land mammals, provides the bulk of the volume with chapters 4 through 42. Each chapter is an overview, sometimes highly abbreviated. Some of the chapters clearly are in need of more work on the English grammar (but I too am in constant need of such assistance); some of my students found these chapters highly distracting, while others, including myself, were not bothered as much.

W. von Koenigswald's chapter on Pholidota is excellent. G. Storch's chapter on Chiroptera is a brief, very good overview; however the photographs are a little dark. Köhler et al.'s chapter on primates is very good and has extended discussions. L. Ginsburg provides a splendid overview of the Carnivora, and includes an extensive reference section and tabular data about the recognized species. This is one of the better chapters in the volume. U. Göhlich's treatise on the Proboscidea is possibly too abbreviated but is still very useful.

Tapirs, rhinoceroses, and chalicotheres are well covered by K. Heißig. These three chapters are perfect for an introductory description to these European taxa (highly utilized in my graduate class), however the English is rather awkward. The illustrations greatly enhance these chapters. Gentry et al. provide a detailed family-by-family overview of the ruminants. Table 1 with its detailed list of species, locality, ages, chronological range, and archiving collections is invaluable – another leading chapter.

C. Mödden's review of the Aplodontomorpha is abbreviated yet thorough. Hugueney's chapter about the Castoridae is excellent and highly illustrated. Daxner-Höck writes about the zapodids in detail; the author follows the opinion that the two families, Zapodidae and Dipodidae, are included in the superfamily Dipodoidea. Although very good, O. Fejfar's chapter on the microtid cricetids is too abbreviated for me. More could have been discussed that would have heightened the utility of this chapter for classroom use – still, it is a valuable, well-done over view.

The tome is nicely completed in its last section. S. Moyà-Solà et al.'s chapter on island faunas is an excellent overview. A highly important chapter to the overall book is Qiu Zhangxiang et al.'s chapter on the relationship of Europe with China during the Miocene. Although fitting the abbreviated format of the volume, I found myself wanting lots more information in this chapter (obviously this would be a book by itself). Van der Made provides the intercontinental relationship of Europe with Africa, and Dawson discusses these relationships with North America. There is a comprehensive index of scientific and common names.

Overall I found the book to be extensive and the perfect volume for my graduate students to read in my osteology and mammalian evolution class-I bought three books just to have available for students in my lab. The compilation charts and the vital usage of line illustrations make the book highly useful and invaluable. The heavyweight paper, the number of high-quality illustrations, and the overall top-quality printing are typical of Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil publishing. This is another volume that I feel is "required" for all researchers and students of mammalian evolution. The volume covers more than just the Miocene and merely Europe. The editors have produced an outstanding volume that has wide-ranging use to everyone. The price might keep this volume away from some students, but the book is certainly worth the investment and is a must to own and use.

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