Paleontological and lithostratigraphic study of a new micromammal fossil site of the Madrid basin Middle Aragonian, at the SE edge of the metropolitan area (Los Ahijones)

Abstract

A new paleontological site in the Madrid basin is described in this paper, which is remarkable due to the association of fossil micromammals characteristic of the Biozone E of the Middle Aragonian (Middle Miocene). Palynomorphs have also been obtained, and sedimentary analysis of the fossil levels have been carried out. Together with the palaeoecological analysis of the faunal assemblage, it can be interpreted as a swamp environment with a wooded savanna or gallery forest biotope. This biotope is included in a general context of distal facies of alluvial fans in a tropical pre-desert climate. A tendency to a thermal drop is supported by paleontological and sedimentary markers, which can be correlated with the Middle Miocene Climatic Transition.