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Contents

Preface
Introduction

Part I. Report on Activity of the RCMNS Working Groups
1. Chronostratigraphy and Geochronology by M. D. Dermitzakis and F. F. Steininger
2. Radiometric Ages and Paleomagnetism by D. Vass
3. Vertebrate Migration and Biostratigraphy by P. Mein
4. Non-marine Paleoenvironments and Biostratigraphy. - Aquatic Paleoenvironments by E. Kojumdgieva
5. Non-marine Paleoenvironments and Biostratigraphy. - Continental Data by J. P. Suc
6. Mediterranean Marine Megafaunal Paleoenvironments and Biostratigraphy. - Interim Colloquium Athens, 1984, Final Report by G. Demarcq
7. Paleogeography and Geodynamics. - Western Mediterranean by M. Boccaletti
8. Paleogeography and Geodynamics. - Pannonian Basin, with a report on the Basic Features of Geodynamic Development of the Western Carpathians in the Neogene by M. Kovač
9. Western and Central Paratethys by I. Cicha
10. Eastern Paratethys by L. A. Nevesskaya and M. F. Nosovsky

Part II. Bibliography of the Mediterranean and Paratethys Neogene for the years 1979-1984
1. Chronostratigraphy and Geochronology
1.1. Biostratigraphy - Chronostratigraphy
1.2. Absolute ages - Paleomagnetics
2. Vertebrates
2.1. Mammals
2.2. Non-Mammals
3. Non-marine Paleoenvironments
3.1. Continental Evertebrates - Paleobotany
3.2. Endemic Paratethys Fauna and Flora
4. Marine Megafauna
5. Marine Flora
6. Marine Microfossils
7. Paleogeography
8. Geodynamics, Tectonics and Geophysics
9. Geochemistry - Stable Isotopes
10. Magmatism and Volcanism
11. Sedimentology
12. Paleoecology and Climate
13. Energy and Mineral Resources
14. Messinian
15. Regional Mediterranean
15.1. Western Mediterranean /Iberian Peninsula - Italy - N. Africa/
15.2. Eastern Mediterranean /Balcan - Greece - Egypt - Middle East/
16. Regional Paratethys
16.1. Western Paratethys and Upper Rhinegraben
16.2. Central Paratethys /Alpine Carpathian Arc - W of Black Sea/
16.3. Eastern Paratethys /Southern USSR/

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Preface

Many years have passed since a group of stratigraphers and paleontologists met in Aix-en-Provence in 1958 to discuss problems of the Mediterranean Neogene. This meeting may be regarded as the beginning of a development which ultimately led to today's detailed biostratigraphic and chronostratigraphic scales; a result that only could obtained by the active collaboration of a large number of scientists involved in various aspects of Neogene problems. No doubt, however, there are still questions concerning the correlation between sequences of various parts of the Mediterranean proper and the Paratethys and controversial opinions do exist on the definition and correlation of stages: the improvement of correlation tables and the solution of remaining major correlation problems should continue to be one of the major goals of the RCMNS. In addition, the RCMNS can do more and it should continue to play a pronounced part in the development of stratigraphic concepts. The existing biostratigraphic and chronostratigraphic scales may provide the basis for studies aimed at the understanding of the factors that controlled the distribution of faunal and floral elements in time and space. To achieve this goal results of research on the paleogeographic and geodynamic evolution of the Mediterranean are needed; the same holds for detailed sedimentological and geochemical analysis. The RCMNS does not intend to extend its fields of interest just because of a "fashion": the additional research items are highly needed for the development of stratigraphy itself. In this respect, the RCMNS can provide a substantial contribution.

Johan E. Meulenkamp
President of the RCMNS

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