A moderately diverse fossil amphibian and squamate reptile assemblage, consist-ing
of various fragmentary cranial bones, vertebrae and appendicular elements, is reported
from the late Miocene (Turolian, MN 11-12) of Fălciu-Prut 1 locality. The fossil assemblage
represents a lacustrine taphonomic context, where the skeletal remains reached the
burial place after a short transport from a terrestrial environment. The amphibians
are represented by salamanders (Chelotriton sp., and Triturus sp.) and anurans (Latonia
sp., Pelobates sp., Bufotes cf. viridis and Pelophylax sp.), whereas the squamates
by lizards (Lacertidae sp. indet. 1 and 2; Anguinae sp. indet. 1 and 2) and snakes
(Scolecophidia indet., Natrix sp., Colubridae indet. and Naja cf. romani). The fauna
inhabited probably shrubberies and open woodlands amid mild temperate climate conditions;
permanent water sources were present in the area. Zoogeographi-cal links were possible
along the northern margin of Paratethys for both the European and Asian faunal representatives.
Compared to older and coeval faunas from that region the fauna suggests an environmental
shift into a more open environment, resulted from climate aridification. The faunal
turnover is highlighted by lack of amphib-ian groups permanently linked to large,
well-oxygenated rivers (cryptobranchid sala-manders and proteids) or marshlands (palaeobatrachid
frogs) that were still present in older faunas.
