La Pliocene epoch is the last of the Neogene period of the Cenozoic era. It began approximately 5.5 million years ago and ended 2.6 million years ago. This time has had great relevance in the development of the first hominids and the flora and fauna of the entire planet. The Pliocene fauna began to be located in different regions limited with the climatic conditions of that time. In many cases this location has been maintained to this day.
In this article we are going to tell you about all the characteristics, biodiversity and evolution of the Pliocene fauna.
Changes in the Pliocene epoch
This is a time when, thanks to the first fossils, it was possible to know that the first hominid that inhabited this planet, Australopithecus, inhabited the African continent. This time has meant great changes at the level of biodiversity, both flora and fauna. The plants began to diversify in different zones with climatic limitations. The total duration of the Pliocene is about 3 million years.
Many of these changes and diversifications in the distribution of plants and animals originated in profound and significant changes in the bodies of water on planet Earth. The seas and oceans were modified during this period. A rupture occurred in the communication between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. As a result of this rupture, what we know today as the Isthmus of Panama emerged. The Mediterranean Sea also refilled with water from the Atlantic Ocean, ending the so-called Messinian salinity crisis. This crisis is referred to as the high concentrations of salt that existed in the Mediterranean Sea due to the closure of the Strait of Gibraltar.
As the rate of evaporation increased and water became less abundant, the salt concentration increased to such an extent that it could no longer sustain plant and animal life. With the introduction of fresh water from the Atlantic, salinity levels were reduced to a stable level.
Finally, one of the most important evolutionary events of the Pliocene epoch was the appearance of the first hominids. Australopithecus was the transcendental hominid at the origin of the human species, which played an important role in the development of the Pliocene fauna.
Pliocene flora and fauna
During this time, plants proliferated thanks to an increase in global temperatures. The plants that proliferated the most were grasslands. The temperatures that prevailed throughout this period were quite low, as glaciers spread over wide areas. Although low temperatures existed across large areas, tropical vegetation represented by jungles and forests also existed. However, these forested regions were limited only to the equatorial region, where climatic conditions were better.
In the remaining areas with lower temperatures, it was grasslands that were able to colonize the territories. Due to the climatic changes that occurred during this period, large expanses of arid land emerged, which later became deserts, some of which still prevail today. In areas near the poles, flora established itself and persists today. This flora includes conifers, which are plants that are highly capable of withstanding low temperatures and thrive in more extreme environments.
The biome that spread the most during this time was the tundra. The tundra has remained like this until today since the bordering lands with the north pole are found.
Regarding the Pliocene fauna, we find one of the greatest milestones in human development. The first hominid, known as Australopithecus, developed. Furthermore, we see a significant development and diversification of mammals, which underwent remarkable evolution. Mammals were able to expand across a wide range of environments and adapt to different conditions. This can also be observed in the Pleistocene fauna, where mammals continued to evolve.
Although other animal groups also experienced certain genetic and evolutionary changes, mammals were the group of animals that evolved the most. The Pliocene fauna is a clear example of how this happened.
Mammals of the Pliocene fauna
Mammals began to settle in areas that remain stable today. An ancient clan of mammals whose main characteristic is walking on their toes are the ungulates. Various species belonging to this group of animals began to lose members and territory. However, in other regions, they managed to adapt and develop widely. We are talking about camels and horses. The fingertips of these animals are covered by hooves.
Another group of animals that developed during this period were the proboscideans. This group of animals' main characteristic is the extension of their faces. This extension is called the proboscis. Several specimens of this group existed in the Pliocene fauna, such as elephants and stegodonts. Of these two groups of animals, only elephants have survived to the present day.
Among mammals, we also find rodents, whose main characteristic is their highly developed incisors, ideal for gnawing on wood or other materials and feeding on them. They are quadrupeds and vary in size. It is said that they fled mainly to parts of the European continent.
Australopithecus It was the first hominid that could move bipedally. It's about being able to walk on both hind limbs. Its size was quite small, measuring only 1.30 meters and having a slender build. Its diet was omnivorous and it was able to thrive on the African continent, where most of the fossils have now been found.
Other animals
Other animal groups also experienced significant development during the Pliocene. Reptiles thrived, especially alligators and crocodiles. As for birds, most inhabited the American continent and were predators of a large number of animals. Another group of birds, better known as the anseriformes, was the one that was widely developed. In this group of birds we find ducks and swans, among others.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the Pliocene fauna.
