A new middle Miocene lineage based on taxonomic revision of the large and rare cricetid-rodent genus Lartetomys

Abstract Large-sized cricetid rodents (Cricetodotontini) immigrated to Central Europe at the beginning of Middle Miocene Climate Transition ca. 15 My and are thus great value for biostratigraphic palaeoecologic purposes. An important fossil material belonging a relatively small species Mixocricetodon from North Alpine Foreland Basin is described. It rare component in faunas equivalent age, new confirms synonymy with genus Lartetomys . The lineage L. mirabilis - L dehmi documented its chronostratigraphic framework, origin discussed but remains uncertain.