Late Miocene mammal events and biostratigraphy in the Eastern Mediterranean

A biostratigraphic division of the Neogene in the Eastern Mediterranean is highly necessary. Data from Late Miocene mammalian faunas and absolute dating were collected and used for a first biostratigraphic division. Some important mammalian taxa have been selected and their paleobiogeographic distribution is given. The dispersal events of these taxa are used for the division of the Late Miocene. A preliminary biozonation of the Late Miocene is proposed based on mammalian faunas. However, more data from various countries are necessary in order to obtain a quite reliable biostratigraphy.