Who coined the term Neogene and when was it defined?
Austrian palaeontologist Moritz Hörnes coined the term Neogene in 1853. He defined a span of time that would eventually measure 20.45 million years.
Questions about Neogene
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did the Neogene Period begin and end according to current geological standards?
The Neogene Period begins at the end of the Paleogene Period and ends bounding the succeeding Quaternary Period at 2.58 Ma. The International Commission on Stratigraphy decided in May 2009 to make the Quaternary the youngest period of the Cenozoic Era.
What major tectonic events occurred during the Neogene Period?
North America and South America connected during the late Pliocene Epoch via the Isthmus of Panama. Meanwhile, the Indian subcontinent continued its collision with Asia to create the Himalayas mountain range.
Which reptile groups went extinct during the Neogene Period?
The reptile group Choristodera went extinct early within this geological span while amphibians known as Allocaudata disappeared at the very end of it. Terrestrial predators like Langstonia and Barinasuchus also vanished from the fossil record.
How did climate change affect flora and fauna during the Neogene Period?
Tropical plant species gave way to deciduous ones due to cooler seasonal climates while grasslands replaced many ancient forest ecosystems. Grazing animals such as horses, antelope, and bison emerged alongside diverse grasses.