Persististrombus coronatus (Mollusca: Strombidae) in the lower Pliocene of Santa Maria Island (Azores, NE Atlantic): Paleoecology, paleoclimatology and paleobiogeographic implications

摘要: Abstract The family Strombidae is one of the twenty-three families and subfamilies gastropods associated with tropical environmental conditions, therefore useful as a biogeographical paleoclimatic proxy. Today, strombid genus Persististrombus represented in NE Atlantic by single species restricted to Mauritanian–Senegalese Province. This work reports occurrence coronatus from lower Pliocene Santa Maria Island Azores Archipelago. Based on this occurrence, Mio-Pliocene fossil record oceanic islands, paleoclimatological considerations are discussed, which allow, for first time, include other Macaronesian islands wider context paleobiogeographical molluscan provinces. Late Miocene present day biogeographic units, ranging latitude 60°N down 17°S, here defined boundaries proposed climatic zones outlined. We suggest that during upper Miocene–lower Pliocene, paleoclimate at was drastically different seen those latitudes today, mean annual sea surface temperatures (SSTs) about 3.7 °C 6.3 °C higher than present-day 20.6 °C, monthly SSTs 20 °C 28 °C, six months over 24 °C, conditions typical setting.