Francien:

This link and the references therein might be helpful:

https://www.app.pan.pl/archive/published/app60/app001152014.pdf

Best

Syed

Hi Francien,

I'm personally more into the marine mammals from the Mio-Pliocene of Belgium, but as far as I know, there are terrestrial/continental Pliocene deposits in Belgium. Among marine mammal palaeontologists, the record of fossil pinnipeds and cetaceans of Belgium is world-renowned. But I think terrestrial mammals from the Pliocene are very rare in Belgium and only include specimens that are ex situ and have been found in marine deposits. Therefore, given how fragile most rodent and insectivore skeletons are, I consider it extremely unlikely to find one of them in the aforementioned marine deposits.

Regards

Leonard

First of all, Syed,

thank you for the link to the paper, the reference list was usefull to learn more about the Belgium Pliocene.

Leonard, thank you for your opinion.

In the Netherlands small mammals are frequently present in marine deposits. Usually only teeth survive, but complete jaws are found as well. Mostly it is Pleistocene vole material (woelmuizen/woelratten). That is why I like to know if the Pliocene coast-near deposits in belgium yield the same sort of material. Voles were also abundantly present in the Pliocene, so why not? (waarschijnlijk is het: "Zoekt en gij zult vinden"). It would be interesting to know for me where the terestrial deposits can be found.

greetings to you both, Francien