Various marginal marine environments in the Central Paratethys: Late Badenian and Sarmatian (middle Miocene) marine and non-marine microfossils from Pécs-Danitzpuszta, southern Hungary

The middle Miocene foraminifera and ostracod record of the Central Paratethys usually reflects stable normal marine epositional environments for Badenian more patchy, less restricted Sarmatian. A 17 m thick outcrop at Pécs-Danitzpuszta, Mecsek Mts, SW Hungary exposed an upper to Pannonian succession where foraminifers ostracods document significant environmental changes. basal layers section contain micro- macrofossils indicating marine, shallow, warm, well-oxygenated habitat with relatively high-energy conditions algal vegetation on bottom, represent (13.82 12.65 Ma). deposits are followed by coarse sandstone, breccia siltstone barren microfossils but containing rhizoliths. sediments were probably subaerially some time. following inundation, marked appearance clays limestones as well fossils, was dated late Sarmatian (ca. 12 11.6 Ma) basis microfossil assemblages from part (Porosononion granosum Zone, Aurila notata Zone). This community is characterized exclusively eurytopic forms unstable vegetated marginal environment fluctuations in salinity, oxygen food availability. Within 5 interval, a unique fresh- oligohaline fauna characterizes few than 1 thickness. consists highly euryhaline freshwater assemblages, temporary salinity reduction 5–10 ‰. No similar has been reported Partethys so far. eventual disappearance paleontological coupled complete turnover indicates transition Sea brackish Lake Pannon, marking Sarmatian/Pannonian boundary (11.6