Mollusk Evolution of the Neogene Dinaride Lake System

Ancient lakes are laboratories of evolution. They are long-lived isolated ecosystems characterized by highly diversified endemic faunas, often displaying spectacular radiations starting from few pioneer taxa. The descendants of these opportunistic pioneers often developed exceptional strategies to conquer ecological niches that are far out beyond the reach of their ancestors. Impressive examples are found especially in the deep-water assemblages of such lake systems. The time resolution based on a modern, integrated stratigraphic approach provides a unique opportunity for a critical proof of the evolutionary parameters. The project investigations will take place within the Neogene long-lived Dinaride Lake System, an endemic lacustrine environment positioned on the rising mountain range intercalated between the Central Paratethys Sea and the early Mediterranean Sea. The spectacular but poorly known Early Miocene mollusk radiation of the Dinaride Lake System preceded the famous Lake Pannon endemic event of the Central Paratethys by at least 10 my. The often very thick lacustrine sediments filling the basins on the Dinaride land provide an exceptional record associated within a manifold depositional environment (coals, volcanic ashes, siliciclastics, tuffaceous carbonates). Results on the evolutionary aspects will be underpinned by investigating of the taxonomic inventory from collections and studied sections, as well as by paleocology, depositonary facies analysis and stable isotope research. Sections of the six most representative basins located in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be studied in detail. Beside the cooperation with local partners, additional earth scientists from seven countries will participate in the investigations. These cooperation will provide additional data concerning magnetostratigraphy, geochronology, and cyclostratigraphy. In the last phase of the project, the influence of the Dinaride Lake faunas on those of Lake Pannon will be evaluated and iterative evolutionary trends will be discussed.

Ancient lakes are laboratories of evolution. They are long-lived isolated ecosystems characterized by highly diversified endemic faunas, often displaying spectacular radiations starting from few pioneer taxa. The descendants of these opportunistic pioneers often developed exceptional strategies to conquer ecological niches that are far out beyond the reach of their ancestors. Impressive examples are found especially in the deep-water assemblages of such lake systems. The time resolution based on a modern, integrated stratigraphic approach provides a unique opportunity for a critical proof of the evolutionary parameters. The project investigations will take place within the Neogene long-lived Dinaride Lake System, an endemic lacustrine environment positioned on the rising mountain range intercalated between the Central Paratethys Sea and the early Mediterranean Sea. The spectacular but poorly known Early Miocene mollusk radiation of the Dinaride Lake System preceded the famous Lake Pannon endemic event of the Central Paratethys by at least 10 my. The often very thick lacustrine sediments filling the basins on the Dinaride land provide an exceptional record associated within a manifold depositional environment (coals, volcanic ashes, siliciclastics, tuffaceous carbonates). Results on the evolutionary aspects will be underpinned by investigating of the taxonomic inventory from collections and studied sections, as well as by paleocology, depositonary facies analysis and stable isotope research. Sections of the six most representative basins located in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be studied in detail. Beside the cooperation with local partners, additional earth scientists from seven countries will participate in the investigations. These cooperation will provide additional data concerning magnetostratigraphy, geochronology, and cyclostratigraphy. In the last phase of the project, the influence of the Dinaride Lake faunas on those of Lake Pannon will be evaluated and iterative evolutionary trends will be discussed.