1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Problem outline and research objectives

1.2. The Central Paratethys region in the Middle Miocene

1.2.1. Palaeogeography

1.2.2. Palaeoclimate

1.3. Stratigraphic correlation of the Badenian

1.3.1. Biostratigraphy

1.3.2. 3rd order eustatic cycles and O-isotope stratigraphy

1.4. The Mura Depression – geological setting and description of sections

1.4.1. Geological setting

1.4.2. Description of sections

2. MATERIAL AND METHODS

2.1. Sampling

2.2. Sample preparation

2.3. Nannoplankton analyses

3. SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY

3.1. Coccolithophores

3.1.1. Heterococcoliths

3.1.2. Holococcoliths

3.1.3. Nannoliths

3.2. Calcareous dynoflagellates

3.3. Taxonomic notes

3.4. Nannoplankton assemblage composition

4. BIOSTRATIGRAPHY

4.1. Middle Miocene nannoplankton biozonations

4.2. Observed biostratigraphic events and the presence of marker species

4.2.1. The sections assigned to NN4

4.2.2. The sections assigned to NN5

4.2.3. The sections assigned to NN6

4.2.4. The lack of evidence for NN7

4.3. A local biostratigraphic zonation for the Mura depression

4.3.1. A combination of existing zonations

4.3.2. Definitions of local interval zones

5. FACIES, STRATIGRAPHY AND DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENTS

5.1. Lithofacies of sampled Badenian deposits

5.2. Sequence stratigraphic correlation

5.3. The lateral distribution of facies

6. NANNOPLANKTON AND PALAEOECOLOGY

6.1. Nannoplankton assemblage composition

6.2. The nature and number of dominant species

6.3. The temporal pattern of changes in nannoplankton assemblage composition

6.3.1. Interval zone MuN4

6.3.2. Interval zone MuN5a

6.3.3. Interval zone MuN5b

6.3.4. Interval zone MuN5c

6.3.5. Interval zone MuN5d

6.3.6. Interval zone MuN6

6.4. Calcareous dinoflagellates

7 UPPER BADENIAN PALAEOCLIMATE AND PALAEOECOLOGY

7.1. Palaeoclimate

7.2 Palaeoecology

8 CONCLUSIONS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

REFERENCES

PLATES

APPENDIX: Nannoplankton assemblage composition