A Reassessment of the Late Miocene Rhinocerotidae of Anatolia Based on Recent Fossil Evidence

Abstract

This study aims to reassess the paleobiogeographic distribution and phylogenetic diversity of Rhinocerotidae species from the Late Miocene of Anatolia. Utilising data obtained from recent scientific publications and the New and Old World Neogene (NOW) fossil mammal database, the research identifies 105 rhinoceros-bearing fossil localities among 247 Late Miocene sites located across modern-day Anatolia and Thrace. Fossil evidence from these localities reveals the presence of ten rhinocerotid genera, including Chilotherium, Miodiceros, Acerorhinus, Dihoplus, Aceratherium, Stephanorhinus and Diceros. Based on spatial distribution, the fossil sites are categorised into three main geographic regions: Southern Anatolia, Western Anatolia, and Central Anatolia. Genera such as Chilotherium, Miodiceros, Acerorhinus, and Dihoplus were commonly recorded across all three regions. The findings demonstrate that Rhinocerotidae formed a significant component of Anatolia’s Late Miocene mammalian fauna, showing notable taxonomic diversity during this period. The co-occurrence of rhinoceroses with other taxa adapted to open and woodland habitats—such as hyenas, felids, bovids, hipparionine equids, and proboscideans—suggests that the regional assemblages were strong representatives of the Pikermian chronofauna, which was widespread across Eurasia during the Late Miocene. While most Rhinocerotidae species vanished from Anatolia by the end of the Miocene, certain genera, including Chilotherium, persisted into the mid-Pliocene, indicating possible ecological refugia in the region.

Keywords

• Rhinocerotidae
• Late Miocene
• Anatolia
• Paleontology
• Paleobiogeography

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