Within the Cenozoic Era lies the Neogene Period , which is divided into several epochs. Today we're going to talk about the last epoch of this period, known as the Pliocene . The Pliocene began approximately 5.5 million years ago and ended 2.6 million years ago. This epoch is quite important from an anthropological perspective, as it is during this time that the first Australopithecus fossils were discovered . This species is the first hominid to have existed on the African continent. To learn more about the Pliocene fauna , you can consult our dedicated article.

In this article we are going to tell you everything you need to know about the Pliocene.

Key features

This era was culminated by quite significant changes in terms of biodiversity, both in terms of flora and fauna, and of the human being. These changes were due to the fact that animals and plants will begin to be located in more diverse areas that were limited by climatic conditions. These locations in numerous species has remained to this day.

This epoch lasted almost 3 million years. There were some changes at the ocean level. Throughout the Pliocene, profound and significant changes occurred in the bodies of water. One of the best known was the disruption of the connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This was a consequence of the emergence of the Isthmus of Panama. Just as changes occurred in these oceans, the Mediterranean Basin also refilled with water from the Atlantic Ocean. This brought an end to the Messinian salinity crisis.

One of the most striking characteristics of the Pliocene epoch is the appearance of the first bipedal hominid . This information is known thanks to a large number of fossils collected from this period. The first hominid to appear on this planet was called Australopithecus . It was pivotal in the origin of the human species as we know it, since it gave rise to the first specimens of the genus Homo.

Pliocene Geology

During this period, there was little orogenic activity. Continental drift continued to move and shift the continents to their current positions. During this time, the movement of the continents was very slow, both across the seas and oceans. They were practically in the same position as they are today, only a few kilometers apart.

One of the most important milestones in Pliocene geology was the formation of the isthmus of Panama. This formation is what holds North and South America together. This phenomenon was transcendental since it also had influences on the climate of the entire planet. With this isthmus, all communications that existed between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans were closed.

At the poles, both Antarctic and Arctic waters experienced a sharp drop in temperature, becoming the coldest on the planet. Information gathered by specialists indicates that during this period there was a significant decrease in sea level due to the increased number of ice caps and glaciers. This led to the emergence of landmasses that are now submerged. For example, there is the case of the land bridge that once connected Russia to the Americas. This bridge is now submerged and occupied by what is known as the Bering Strait.

Pliocene climate

During this time that lasted almost 3 million years, the climate was quite diverse and fluctuating. According to the records that have been collected by climate specialists, there were times when the temperature increased considerably. This was contrasted in some periods, especially at the end of the Pliocene, when temperatures dropped significantly.

Among the most important characteristics of the climate of this era is that it was seasonal. That is, it had distinct seasons, two of which were very pronounced. One was winter, when ice covered much of the planet. The other was summer, when the ice melted, giving way to rather arid landscapes.

In general, it can be said that the climate at the end of the Pliocene was quite arid due to the aforementioned temperature increase. Furthermore, it acquired a rather dry appearance, causing the environments to change from forests to savannas.

Biodiversity

Fauna diversified widely during the Pliocene, colonizing various environments. However, flora suffered a kind of regression and stagnation due to unfavorable climatic conditions. Winters with ice covering most of the planet and a rather dry and arid summer prevented the necessary conditions for plant development and diversification.

Flora

The plants that proliferated most during the Pliocene epoch were grasslands . This is because these plants can adapt quite easily to the low temperatures that prevailed during the Pliocene. Some tropical vegetation existed, especially in rainforests and woodlands, but it was limited to the equatorial region. It was in this area that the climatic conditions existed for it to thrive and spread. To learn more about Neogene fauna , you can consult our article.

The climate changes that occurred during this period led to the emergence of vast, sparsely populated lands with desert-like characteristics. Some of these areas still exist today. In the areas closer to the poles, the same type of flora that is abundant today took hold: conifers. This is because they are highly resistant to cold and can thrive in low temperatures.

Fauna

As we mentioned earlier, one of the most significant milestones in human history occurred during this period. Mammals also underwent a major evolutionary radiation , spreading across a wide variety of environments. The Pliocene fauna was characterized by its diversity and adaptation to the varied climates that prevailed, which greatly contributed to the development of new species.

With this information you can know more about the Pliocene and all the main features.