A fossil terrestrial fauna from Tobène (Senegal) provides a unique early Pliocene window in western Africa

Early Pliocene hominin evolutionary scenarios proposed to date mostly rely on paleontological investigations from eastern Africa. Filling major geographical gaps in the fossil record could potentially invalidate these and stimulate development of improved theories. Based published literature, no continental vertebrates have been discovered Western Africa situation is only slightly better central northern Here, we expand vertebrate western with description Tobène fauna, a new fossiliferous Neogene locality Senegal. We describe diversity large mammals, including at least ten taxa based fragmentary remains recovered alluvial channel deposits. Estimation weathering events biochronology suggests an early age. Most mammalian were widely distributed over African continent during Pliocene. Possible faunal correlations localities call for continent-wide investigations.***************