Tragoportax cf. rugosifrons (Schlosser, 1904) from the late Miocene of Cessaniti (Southern Italy)

This paper describes remains attributable to Tragoportax cf. rugosifrons (Schlosser, 1904) found in the late Miocene site of Cessaniti (Vibo Valentia, Calabria) and the surrounding area. The studied specimens come from the Clypeaster sandstones, included in a marine/fluvial succession dated between 8 and 7.2 Ma. At Cessaniti, Tragoportax is associated with Stegotetrabelodon syrticus Petrocchi, 1941; Samotherium cf. boissieri Forsyth-Major, 1888; Bohlinia cf. attica Matthew, 1929; and an undetermined Rhinocerotid still under study. The genus Tragoportax was common in Eurasia and Africa during the late Miocene. The occurrence of Tragoportax cf. rugosifrons at Cessaniti confirms the peculiarity of the assemblage, with its association of species of North African and Pikermian (Greco-Iranian bioprovince) affinities.