A synthesis of fauna, palaeoenvironments and stratigraphy of the Miocene Tagay locality (Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal, Eastern Siberia)

Abstract We report about the Early Miocene Tagay fauna of Olkhon Island, largest island Baikal Lake. The is high scientific importance because diversity fishes, amphibians, lizards, snakes, turtles, manifold birds and mammals. lithology, geochemistry fossil record along Tagay-1 section allow reconstruction various palaeoenvironments, i.e. open water, shallow lakes with adjacent wetlands, riverine woodlands, also forested dry habitats. record, lithology geochemical sediment-analyses suggest a temperate palaeoclimate short humid periods. small mammal magnetic polarity pattern upper part correlate subchrons C5Cn.2r – C5Cn.1r Chron C5C late Burdigalian Stage Geologic Time Scale (GTS2000). corresponding age range ~16.5 to ~16.3 Ma.