Fig. 11

Length–width diagram of the first lower molar (mean values) of cricetids representing the Megacricetodon evolutionary lineage from sites in the Swiss and S-German Molasse Basin. Note that the evolution of the lineage is mainly characterized by increase in molar length. The last occurrences of the eomyids Ligerimys florancei and Ligerimys sp. and the first occurrence of Keramidomys thaleri determine the “boundary” between the mammal units MN 4b and MN 5. Data for Günzburg 2 (n = 13) refer to measurements made by JP (this study) and data for Käpfnach-Rotwegstollen (n = 5) and Schmiedrued-Pfyffrütibach 618 m (n = 5) were conducted by DK (this study). Further small mammal data are from: Fahlbusch (1964) for Langenmoosen (n = 34); Wu (1982) for Puttenhausen classic (n = 17); Ziegler and Fahlbusch (1986) for Rauscheröd (n = 11), Rembach (n = 13), and Forsthart (n = 12); Reichenbacher et al. (2005) for Hubertingen (n = 8), Hüenerbach (n = 5), Mauensee (n = 6), Hirschthal (n = 7), Oberkulm-Sämlen (n = 19), Hüllistein (n = 24), Vermes 1 (n = 18); Wessels and Reumer (2009) for Sandelzhausen (n = 13); Abdul Aziz et al. (2010) for Langenau 1 (n = 12), Offingen 2 (n = 3), Ichenhausen 3 (n = 6), Untereichen-Altenstadt 540 m (n = 6), Ichenhausen 7 (n = 4)