Where’s dinner? Variation in carnivoran distributional responses to the mid-Vallesian faunal turnover

The Catalan locality of Can Llobateres 1 (early Vallesian, MN9) shows a remarkably rich diversity just prior to the mid-Vallesian crisis, including 23 species of Carnivora. Similarity maps using the Raup-Crick index and covering the Middle to Late Miocene (16–5.3 Ma) show that the origin of this carnivoran chronofauna lies to the north of the Iberian Peninsula, gradually making its way south. The chronofauna built up through migrations during the Aragonian, but shows a major influx during the early Vallesian, leading to a biodiversity hotspot. At the end of MN9, the mid-Vallesian turnover, the chronofauna collapses. This is mainly because of the extinction of parts of the fauna, and the retraction of some species to the north, disappearing from Spain. Thus, the rich fauna is an amalgamation of persisting older elements, northern elements having a brief temporary presence and new elements coming in. All these were supported by the unique rich ecosystem of the Vallès-Penedès Basin during the early Vallesian.