Primate evolution and Miocene Environments in Austria: evidence from ecological traits of meso-herbivorous mammals

During the Miocene, the Eurasian continent is marked by the successful radiation of primates and especially hominoids. Except in Southeast Asia, all these hominoids from Spain to the India disappeared about 8.5 My ago. Knowing the high influence of environmental and climatic factors over the evolution of mammals, characterizing the habitats of Primates through Miocene times appears as a key-issue to understand radiations and extinction of Primates. Using the ecological traits of extinct ruminants and equids, I propose to characterize environmental dynamics in Central Europe (Austria) where many Primates have evolved since the early Miocene. The ecological traits (diet and mode of locomotion) of these herbivorous mammals will be investigated through three independent and non destructive approaches: ecomorphologic, dental micro- and meso-wear analyses. Dental microwear results from the abrasion of enamel surfaces by food items consumed during the last days prior to the death of an animal. According to the physical properties the food items, microwear scars vary in shape and density. Mesowear is based on facet development on the occlusal surfaces of the cheek teeth. The degree of facet development reflects the relative proportions of tooth-to-tooth contact (attrition) and food-to-tooth contact (abrasion), attrition creating facets and abrasion obliterating them. The two latter approaches allow for reconstructions of dietary preferences. Together with ecomorphology of postcranial and cranial elements, they will provide important data on their own ecology and on primate habitats in Austria during the Miocene. The mammal assemblages from 17 Austrian localities which cover a large span of time during the Miocene will be investigated to respond to the objectives.