Distribution of Protaceratherium albigense (Rhinocerotidae, Mammalia) in Oligocene coastal deposits of Turkish Thrace

Coastal marine deposits at Dolhan (Kirklareli, Thrace, Turkey) yielded some important remains of a land mammal, Protaceratherium albigense (ROMAN, 1912). The material consists of an upper jaw with P2-M3, a humerus, a tarsal (cuboid), two phalanges and one sesamoid bone. The marine origin is indicated by the presence of the large foraminifera Nummulites intermedius, N. fichteli and N. vascus in the same deposits. The fossiliferous horizon is mainly formed of detrital deposits of the Koyunbaba Formation, which covers unconformable the basement (Istranca Massif). The dentition of P. albigense from Dolhan is similar in size and morphology to that of the type locality Sauzière-Saint-Jean (Tarn, France). This species is well known in late early to early late Oligocene localities from western Europe and Hungary. The Dolhan discovery particularly enlarges its geographic distribution. Together with this species, the occurrences of several mammalian taxa with European affinities (Aceratherium (Mesaceratherium) paulhiacense, Anthracotherium magnum, Elomeryx woodi and rodents) in the middle-late Oligocene deposits of Turkish Thrace suggest strong paleogeographic connections with Europe at these times.