László Kocsis

University of Lausanne | UNIL · Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics, Faculty of Geosciences and Environment

Terrestrial climatic data reflect variable and often conflicting responses to the global cooling event at the Eocene-Oligocene transition (ca. 34 Ma). Stable isotopic compositions of the tooth enamel of large, water-dependent, herbivorous terrestrial mammals are investigated here to better understand the European continental climate during the late...

The highest biodiversity of marine fishes occurs in South-east Asia in the Indo-Australian Archipelago (IAA). However, the fossil record of fishes is very sparse and extremely incomplete in the IAA. Here we present a diverse fossil cartilaginous fish fauna from Borneo, found in late Miocene sediments in Brunei Darussalam. This fauna provides the fi...

Marine vertebrate fossils from late Cretaceous–early Paleogene shallow marine phosphorites of Morocco were investigated for their trace element compositions and neodymium isotopic ratios in order to constrain marine and depositional conditions. The various analyzed fossils are separated into two groups with different geo-chemical compositions: (1)...

Isotopic and trace element compositions of Miocene and Pliocene phosphatic brachiopods (Lingulidae and Discinidae) from southern North Sea, the Central Paratethys and the Atlantic coast of Europe were investigated. The North Sea genus Glottidia yielded low Nd and high 18OPO4 values through the Mio-Pliocene indicating cold habitat temperature wher...

Fossil shark teeth and coprolites from three major phosphorite occurrences in the Gafsa Basin (southwestern Tunisia) were investigated for their geochemical compositions to improve local stratigraphy and to better assess paleoenvironmental conditions. 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios of shark teeth from the Early Maastrichtian El Haria Formation and from t...

The Indo-Australian Archipelago (IAA) today exhibits the highest marine biodiversity, which has been evolving since the early Miocene. The existence of this high palaeobiodiversity is attested to by the presence of many fossil invertebrates; however, the region’s fossil fish record is sparse and understudied, which is also the case for cartilaginou...

The Algerian-Tunisian phosphorites, from Paleocene-Eocene, were mainly deposited around “Kasserine Island” into three main basins as a result of the large Tethyan phosphogenesis. This chapter reviews the main characteristics of the most representative phosphorite deposits with the aim of comparing their lithostratigraphy, petrography, mineralogy, a...

Based on several field investigations, many molluscan shells and chondrichthyan teeth, together with other invertebrate and actinopterygian remains were found from the marine Bangkok Clay deposits in Ongkharak, Nakhon Nayok, at a depth of ~ 5–7 m below the topsoil surface. Animal macrofossils recovered from these Holocene marine deposits were ident...

The Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO) is a global warming event mainly recognized in the marine domain and described less in the terrestrial environment. Here we present a comprehensive geochemical record of the MECO from the Escanilla Formation, a fluvial sedimentary succession in the southern Pyrenees, Spain, based on a suite of sampled paleo...

We present here new quantitative analyses of planktic and benthic foraminifera to assess the impact of the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO, ~40 Ma) on these biotic groups studied along a shallow-water succession rich in larger benthic foraminifera (Sealza, Liguria, NW Italy). The MECO is one of the major Eocene global warming events, character...

The fossil vertebrate fauna of Máriahalom contains remains from a wide range of ecologies including terrestrial and aquatic mammals, crocodiles, sharks, and rays among others. All these were found mixed in mollusc-rich, shallow water, coastal deposits. The aim of the study is to trace the origin of the fossils using their rare earth element (REE) c...

The marine benthic diversity of the Palawan/North Borneo ecoregion is poorly known, despite its implied unique high species richness within the Coral Triangle. The present study investigated the diversity and distribution of benthic foraminifera on the Brunei shelf. The objectives were to determine the species composition of sediment samples collec...

This study focuses on the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO, centered at ~40 Ma) which is one of the major Eocene global warming events, characterized by ~4–6°C warming, shifts in the global carbon cycle and rise in atmospheric pCO2. Even though the MECO is a still enigmatic event, studies on its paleobiotic effects are yet rather limited, and e...

The Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO) is a global warming event mainly described in the marine domain but less in the terrestrial domain. This study presents a comprehensive geochemical record of the MECO from the Escanilla Formation, a fluvial sedimentary succession in the southern Pyrenees, Spain, based on a suite of sampled paleosols, fluvia...

The Nyirád I. outcrop is extremely rich in fossils of marine vertebrates, including chondrichthyans, osteichthyans and marine mammals. Rarely, remains of terrestrial vertebrates are also found. The present paper adds important data to the vertebrate faunal list of the two Badenian formations of the outcrop, namely the Pusztamiske and Leitha Limesto...

Middle Miocene (Badenian) chondrichthyan fossils collected from the Tekeres Schlieren Member of the Baden Formation at Tekeres (southern Hungary, Mecsek Mts) are described here. The chondrichthyan assemblage is exceptionally diverse and well-preserved, and consists of holocephalans, selachians and batomorphs. Nine taxa are reported for the first ti...

Here we report high-latitude stable isotope compositions of Maastrichtian fossil fish and marine reptiles (mainly mosasaurs) from Antarctica (64°S paleolatitude) and compare them with mid-paleolatitude samples from Argentine Patagonia (45°S). Disparities between the δ ¹³ C values of bony fish and marine reptiles correspond to differences in the for...

Rare Earth Elements plus Yttrium (REY)-bearing sedimentary phosphorites are paramount for both paleo-environment reconstructions and as economic targets. The present study was undertaken to unravel the different parameters promoting REY uptake, fractionation and distribution in many phosphorite deposits from the Tébessa region (Kef Essenoun, Djebel...

There is an increasing need for paleoclimate records from continental settings to better understand the climatic changes during critical periods such as the Pliocene and Early Pleistocene. Present data indicates a transition from a warmer than present-day climate to a substantially different cooler climate. This study reviews the oxygen and carbon...

The distribution of modern benthic foraminifera is studied from offshore mixed carbonate-siliciclastic settings of Brunei Darussalam located in northwestern Borneo (South China Sea). The sediments were collected from 17 sites (i.e., shallow reefs, sunken wrecks, and two depth transects). A total of 231 species were identified from 8 to 63 m water d...

Rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) have gained greater attention for being largely used in various high-tech applications and green energies. Recently, supply shortage and high demand on REY led to target secondary resources such as phosphorites. Algerian sedimentary phosphorites, which are located mainly in the Tébessa region, Eastern Saharan A...

Neogene marine deposits of North Borneo are locally very rich in fossils that provide glimpses into the past biodiversity. However, dating these onshore sediments with biostratigraphy is often hampered by the lack and/or the poor preservation state of index fossils. Therefore, the fossiliferous sites were targeted with strontium isotope stratigraph...

The Malay Archipelago is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, but it suffers high extinction risks due to severe anthropogenic pressures. Paleobotanical knowledge provides baselines for the conservation of living analogs and improved understanding of vegetation, biogeography, and paleoenvironments through time. The Malesian bioregion is wel...

The sand pit of Pécs-Danitzpuszta is one of the most important mixed Neogene vertebrate localities in Hungary, with older Miocene (Langhian – Serravallian) terrestrial and marine animal remains re-deposited into the upper Miocene (Tortonian) Lake Pannon sediments. Due to the mixed status of the Pécs-Danitzpuszta vertebrate assemblages, limited info...

Chondrichthyans and osteichthyans are widely reported from marine sediments of the Central Paratethys, not only by sporadic occurrences, but also by complex, diverse fish assemblages. Here we present a rich fish fauna from the upper Miocene (Pannonian, Tortonian) lacustrine sediments exposed in the Pécs-Danitzpuszta sand pit, in the SW Pannonian Ba...

The Hațeg Basin represents the most important location in Romania that yields latest Cretaceous continental vertebrates, including dwarf dinosaurs and endemic mammals, as well as one of the most important localities in Europe. The vertebrate-bearing uppermost Cretaceous continental beds are spread across different parts of the basin, and were inclu...

We performed different geochemical analyses of Paleogene terrestrial mammal remains to establish their taphonomy, stratigraphic provenance, and palaeoenvironmental conditions. Rare earth element (REE) results indicate a similar diagenetic history to that of marine taxa investigated prior from these beds. Therefore, the mammal remains were initially...

The Hațeg Basin yields one of the most important latest Cretaceous continental faunas in Europe. The historical collection made by KADIĆ near Vălioara over a century ago represents an important contribution to their knowledge. Rediscovery of an unpublished field map of KADIĆ helped relocating his former excavation sites after a century, allowed a t...

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Croatian-Hungarian palaeontologist Ottokár Kadić discovered a rich Late Cretaceous vertebrate assemblage around Vălioara in the Haţeg Basin, including fossils of several dinosaurs and the lectotype of the eusuchian Allodaposuchus. These fossils were collected from seven main localities and have been housed...

The BouCraa phosphate deposits of the Oued Eddahab Basin (southern Morocco) is a part of the Upper Cretaceous-Paleogene phosphate province of North-West Africa. Their origin and genesis are still controversial. X-ray diffraction and infrared studies show that the BouCraa phosphate deposits are composed of a low-crystalline carbonate fluorapatite. T...

Eleven Neogene outcrops (seven of the Miri Formation and four of the Seria Formation) from Brunei Darussalam are described. Detailed stratigraphic columns are presented with special emphasis on the sedimentary sequences, providing insights into the depositional environments. The rocks are comprised mostly of sandstone, claystone and a mix of both l...

The study aims to get some additional knowledge on the modern seafloor composition offshore Brunei Darussalam by looking at the recent stratigraphic succession of the deposited sediments and their distribution patterns. For this reason, 10 shallow cores (22 to 46 cm thick) have been collected by scuba diving along two depth transects spanning from...

We report on sporadic fossil vertebrates from Brunei Darussalam (Borneo). Most of these isolated remains are reworked and derive from Penanjong Beach known for former coastal cliffs used to be rich in marine molluscs. Previously, the only vertebrate remains reported were shark teeth. With new material, the fish fauna is now represented by six shark...

A Magyar Királyi Földtani Intézet által végzett országos földtani térképezés részeként Kadić Ottokár 1909-ben a Hátszegi-medence Ny-i részén végzett geológiai kutatásokat, mely során késő-kréta szárazföldi gerinces maradványokat fedezett fel.

In the early years of the 20th century, the Hungarian palaeontologist, Ottokár Kadić discovered a rich and diverse Late Cretaceous vertebrate assemblage around Vălioara in the Haţeg Basin, including fossils of several dinosaurs and the holotype remains of the iconic crocodyliform Allodaposuchus.

In 2016, Szabó & Kocsis reported a diverse Badenian shark and ray fauna from the Nyirád pit (Hungary). Since then a few chondrichthyan taxa have been eliminated from the faunal list, and additional taxa (both chondrichthyans and osteichthyans) have been unearthed at the locality. Some earlier collected chondrichthyan taxa have been revised (e.g., A...

Modern and fossil calcareous shells of the terebratulide brachiopod Megathiris detruncata have been investigated for stable oxygen and carbon isotope and elemental (Mg, Sr, Mn, Fe, Ba) compositions to assess the possibility of using this species to trace past environmental conditions. Modern shells were collected from the Mediterranean Sea and the...

In this study we intend to provide an overview on fossilized tree resins (amber) commonly found in Southeast Asia, more particularly in the Indo-Australian Archipelago (IAA). These remains are often referred in literature as “Indonesian amber”, “Borneo amber” or simply as “dammar”. They are very common in the region and the Brunei Sultanate is no e...

We describe the Late Pliocene paleoenvironment and paleoclimate of the Pula fossil site of the western Pannonian Basin, Hungary, which occurs within a lacustrine succession deposited in a volcanic crater (maar). Radiometric dating of adjacent volcanic bodies hosting the fossil-bearing sedimentary assemblages gives an age of 4.25 ± 0.17 Ma (K-Ar). T...

Every year, the demand on rare earth elements (REE) increases greatly due to their large applications in the high-tech industry. Typical REE deposits are suffering many problems, such as extensive exploitation and environmental issues. Non-conventional REE resources seem to be a solution for REE supply, such as those from sedimentary phosphorites....

In this paper, we present results of a palynological analysis of the phosphate succession from the northern flank of the Bou Angueur syncline in the Middle Atlas (central Morocco). The studied interval yielded a well-preserved and diverse palynological content, dominated by dinoflagellate cysts (dinocysts), allowing a detailed taxonomic study of di...

Despite the rich modern and fossil biodiversity of Borneo, the palynological record in Brunei is still very limited and this lack of data is a challenge in the interpretation of biostratigraphic and palaeoenvironment studies. In fact, palynological taxonomic work has only been done in the 1970s using only light microscopy (LM) and since then, no de...

Despite the rich modern and fossil biodiversity of Borneo, the palynological record in Brunei is still very limited and this lack of data is a challenge in the interpretation of biostratigraphic and palaeoenvironment studies. In fact, palynological taxonomic work has only been done in the 1970s using only light microscopy (LM) and since then, no de...

The Cocinetas Basin is located on the eastern flank of the Guajira Peninsula, northern Colombia (southern Caribbean). During the late Oligocene through the Pliocene, much of the basin was submerged. The extensive deposits in this area suggest a transition from a shallow marine to a fluvio-deltaic system, with a rich record of invertebrate and verte...

The occurrence of rare earth elements (REE) in sedimentary phosphorites is reported by many studies and is suggested for extraction as byproduct to solve the REE crisis due to the current high demand. Algerian sedimentary phosphorites are located mainly in the Tébessa region (Eastern Saharan Atlas) and contain REE as worldwide deposits. They show l...

We present the first systematic description of a Tortonian (late Miocene) gastropod assemblage from the Ambug Hill section in the Tutong District in Brunei Darussalam. The low-diversity assemblage comprises 62 species of which 37 are unknown from other Neogene faunas of the Indo-West Pacific Region (IWP), 23 species are formally described as new. C...

We present the first systematic description of a Tortonian (late Miocene) gastropod assemblage from the Ambug Hill section in the Tutong District in Brunei Darussalam. The low-diversity assemblage comprises 62 species of which 37 are unknown from other Neogene faunas of the Indo-West Pacific Region (IWP), 23 species are formally described as new. C...

Palaeonvironmental interpretations and biostratigraphic zonations in northwest Borneo are still a matter of debate but are important for petroleum related applications. The outcrop of Ambug Hill, a late Miocene marine siliciclastic sequence in Brunei Darussalam, has been investigated for its foraminifera assemblage. From a 9.5 m clay-rich interval...

Rafting on macro-algae (Sargassum) of symbiont-bearing Larger Benthic Foraminifera, key to their dispersal in recent and ancient oceans

The Cocinetas Basin is located on the eastern flank of La Guajira Peninsula, northern Colombia (South Caribbean). During late Oligocene through Pliocene, much of the basin was submerged. The extensive deposits in this area suggest a transition from a shallow marine to a fluvio–deltaic system, with a rich record of invertebrate and vertebrate fauna....

Otodus (Megaselachus) megalodon is the biggest macro-predatory shark that ever lived on the Earth. The presence of this enigmatic shark in the fossil record of the Indo-Australian Archipelago has been generally overlooked; therefore a brief overview is given here about its occurrences. So far, its fossils have only been reported from Java and Madur...

Modern mammals rapidly evolved in the early Cenozoic in all continental provinces, including in Africa, with one of the first placental branches, the Afrotheria [1, 2]. Afrotherian evolution is at the origin of the major radiation of African ungulate-like mammals, including extant hyrax, elephant, and sea cow orders, which all belong to the Paenung...

The Ambug Hill in Brunei is an exceptional geological site where a series of siliciclastic rocks crops out with some layers extremely rich in marine fossils. Such fossiliferous outcrops are extremely rare in the northern part of Borneo and their description is of primary importance as their fossil content can be used to correlate the regional depos...

The present study provides new data on the diversity, abundance and depth distribution of larger foraminifera (LBF) from a number of sites offshore BruneiDarussalam. This region, indeed very close to the modern LBF hotspot diversity, has always been overlooked and no data are available to date. The investigated sites are called Pelong rocks, Abana...

A rich and diverse ichthyofauna is described from the upper Oligocene (Egerian) sands of Máriahalom, Hungary. The site is dominated by brackish molluscs that are preserved together with rare marine and terrestrial vertebrates. Based on the isolated elasmobranch and bony fish remains, eight sharks, four rays and seven teleost taxa were identified fr...

The Antarctic glaciation close to the Eocene-Oligocene boundary was one of the most significant events in the climate evolution of the Cenozoic Era. The principal cause of this climate transition is debated, although its consequences are indisputable: decrease in atmospheric pCO 2 , rapid expansion of continental ice volume on Antarctica and signif...

The lower Miocene Pirabas Formation in the North of Brazil was deposited under influence of the proto-Amazon River and is characterized by large changes in the ecological niches from the early Miocene onwards. To evaluate these ecological changes, the elasmobranch fauna of the fully marine, carbonate-rich beds was investigated. A diverse fauna with...

Examined specimens from the Pirabas Formation. Complete list of all chondrichthyan investigated in this study and their correspondent catalog numbers. (DOC)

Statistical tests of sharks. One-Way ANOVA and Tukey’s pairwise multiple test of δ18OPO4 data by species using the program Past 3.08. The p values <0.05 indicate no significant differences. (XLSX)

Carbonate in phosphate isotopic composition. δ 13C and δ18O in fossil and modern shark teeth and fossil rays tooth plate from the Pirabas Formation. (XLSX)

Preparation of teeth samples and measuring technique. A more specific method description regarding the analytical procedures performed in this research. (DOCX)

Fig 11 permission. Authorization letter from the original authors of the Fig 11. (DOCX)

Statistical tests of rays. One-Way ANOVA and Tukey’s pairwise multiple test of δ18OPO4 data by species using the Past 3.08. The p values <0.05 indicate no significant differences. (XLSX)

†Carcharhinus ackermannii of the Pirabas Formation. A-Z. (A-B: MPEG-131-V; C-D: MPEG-988-V; E-F: MPEG-729-V; G-H: MPEG-1032-V; I: MPEG-821-V; J: MPEG-825-V; K-L: DNPM-651-P (03); M-N: DNPM-651-P; O-P: DNPM-651-P; Q-R: MPEG-827-V; S-T: MPEG-832-V; U-V: MPEG-1547-V; W-X: MPEG-1532-V; Y-Z: MPEG-1634-V). View: labial (A, C, E, G, I-K, M, O Q, S, U, W,...

The Pliocene and Early Pleistocene (5.2–1 Ma) palaeoclimate for localities in Italy is evaluated using stable carbon and oxygen isotope compositions of tooth enamel of fossil specimens from Rhinocerotidae (Stephanorhinus sp.) and Gomphotheriidae (Anancus sp.) taxa. Carbon isotope composition was measured in the structural carbonate (δ¹³C), while ox...

A new Middle Miocene (Langhian – early Serravallian) assemblage with shark and ray teeth from Nyirád (Hungary, Transdanubia, Veszprém County) consists of nine families, with 15 different species. The assemblage shares many common genera with other Middle Miocene assemblages in the Paratethys (Notorynchus, Carcharias, Otodus, Cosmopolitodus, Hemipri...

The geology of Brunei Darussalam is fascinating but difficult to approach: rainforests and heavy precipitation tend to erode and smoothen the landscape limiting rocks exposure, whereas abundant constructions sites and active quarries allow the creation of short time available outcrop, which have to be immediately sampled. The stratigraphy of Brunei...

For this study, 11 samples have been collected by scuba diving from 5 to 35 meters water depth off shore Brunei Darussalam. The locations sampled are known as: Pelong Rock (5 samples, shallow reef with soft and stony corals and larger foraminifera, 5 to 8 meters water depth), Abana Rock (1 sample, shallow reef with mainly soft corals and larger for...

This study deals with redox conditions of phosphorites depositional environment in Dj. El Kouif, located at the North of Tébessa (Oriental Saharan Atlas). These marine phosphorites of Late Paleocene-Early Eocene age, were sampled and analyzed for their rare earth elements (REE) and trace elements (TE) contents using ICP-MS analyses on whole-rocks a...

An Early Oligocene (Rupelian, Kiscellian), partially published shark tooth material, unearthed from the Kiscell Clay (Budapest, Hungary) is shortly reviewed here. A few shark taxa have been published by Wilhelm Weiler in 1933 and 1938, and some of this material was re-discovered in the Hungarian Natural History Museum. Th e here described shark tax...

Chondrichthyan teeth (sharks, rays, and chimaeras) are mineralized in isotopic equilibrium with the surrounding water, and parameters such as water temperature and salinity can be inferred from the oxygen isotopic composition (δ18Op) of their bioapatite. We analysed a new chondrichthyan assemblage, as well as teeth from bony fish (Pycnodontiformes)...

Marine vertebrate fossils from late Cretaceous–early Paleogene shallow marine phosphorites of Morocco were investigated for their trace element compositions and neodymium isotopic ratios in order to constrain marine and depositional conditions. The various analyzed fossils are separated into two groups with different geochemical compositions: (1) s...

Remains of sharks, rays and chimaeras (class Chondrichthyes) are very common in Jurassic deposits. Especially chondrichthyan teeth are abundant due to their high resistance to mechanical and chemical alteration. Besides their taxonomic value, they are an ideal material for stable isotope analyses and are widely used as a palaeoenvironmental proxy....

Chondrichthyan teeth (sharks, rays and chimaeras) are mineralised in isotopic equilibrium with the surrounding water, and parameters such as water temperature and salinity can be inferred from the oxygen isotopic composition (δ18Op) of their bioapatite. We analysed a new chondrichthyan assemblage, as well as teeth from bony fish (Pycnodontiformes)....

The proportion of the different oxygen stable isotopes present in water is linked to several environmental parameters such as evaporation rate, salinity and temperature. Vertebrates living in aquatic environment use the oxygen of the ambient water to mineralize hard tissues of bones and teeth, recording thereby measurable information on its isotopi...

Bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas use estuarine and riverine systems as nursery habitat. The Shark Reef Marine Reserve (SRMR) on the southern coast of Viti Levu, Fiji, is well-known for its adult bull shark population. The species’ seasonal departure from the SRMR is related to reproductive activity, but nursery grounds have not yet been identified o...