The otoliths from the miocene of the North Sea basin

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This monograph describes and reviews otoliths from the Miocene of the North Sea Basin, based on around 90,000 specimens spanning nearly the entire Miocene stratigraphic range. Over half of these specimens are from the Reinbekian and Hemmoorian stages, equivalent to the Early Serravallian to Late Burdigalian. It recognizes 269 species and five subspecies, including 32 extant species recorded as fossils, 65 new species, three new subspecies, and 32 species in open nomenclature. A primary goal is to document otoliths through photographs and consistent definitions, aiming to serve as a reference handbook for fossil otoliths from the region. The analysis reveals that the Early Miocene Vierlandian fauna closely resembles the Late Oligocene Chattian fauna. The Hemmoorian and Reinbekian stages show an abundance of new species adapted to warmer climates, with some also found in the Aquitaine Basin and Paratethys. Species diversity is high, with pairs suggesting allopatric speciation due to marine conduit openings. The Hemmoorian and Reinbekian stages likely connected the North Sea Basin to the subtropical NE-Atlantic and possibly the northern Paratethys. A significant faunal shift occurs in the Langenfeldian, marked by the immigration of temperate species. The analysis indicates a lifespan of 3 to 15 million years for most species, with some lasting up to 32 million years. The otolith database allows for a critical review of the biostr