Fig. 3

a Length/width diagram of the first lower molar (mean values) of the cricetid rodents of the “Megacricetodon bavaricus group” from different localities in Southern Germany and Switzerland. Note the anagenetic trend in size increase through time, the smaller (older) species being assigned to M. aff. collongensis. The important stratigraphical divisions of the Molasse Basin, as well as occurrences of biostratigraphically important taxa are also included (see text for details; after Prieto and Rummel 2016). Be aware that the value of Courrendlin-Solé refers to one single specimen. b Size of the first upper molars from Courrendlin-Solé compared to the specimens of M. aff. collongensis from Germany (Forsthart, Rembach, Rauscheröd 1b + c, Georgensgmünd, Reisensburg; Ziegler and Fahlbusch 1986; Berger 2010; Seehuber 2015) and Switzerland (Andelfingen, Roggliswil-Hornwald, Tägernaustrasse, Eiboden; Bolliger 1992; Jost et al. 2016; pers. data JP), and M. bavaricus from Langenmoosen (type locality; Fahlbusch 1964) and Ichenhausen 1 and 3 (pers. data JP). Note that the M1 from Courrendlin-Solé range in the size variation of M. aff. collongensis. c Abundance of the small mammal taxa from the composite fauna Courrendlin-Solé (in number of teeth). In order to make the diagrams (figs. a and b) easier to interpret, the scale used in the axes are different. The polygons are convex hulls. d Biostratigraphic correlation of Courrendlin-Solé to the two regional scales used in the North Alpine Foreland Basin. The shaded area refers to uncertainty range in the correlation between both scales (see text for details)