Saint Bathans Fauna refers to a fossil assemblage found in Saint Bathans, a small town in Central Otago, New Zealand. It represents the extinct flora and fauna that existed in the area during the Early Miocene period, approximately 16 to 19 million years ago. The fossil deposits have provided tremendous insights into the ancient ecosystem and biogeographical distribution of organisms during this time.
The Saint Bathans Fauna is renowned for its remarkably diverse range of species, including plants, insects, fish, birds, reptiles, and mammals. Many of these fossils have been well-preserved through the fossilization process, allowing paleontologists to study and reconstruct the anatomy, physiology, and behavior of these ancient organisms.
Some notable examples from the Saint Bathans Fauna include a flightless bird known as the adzebill, giant frogs, large predatory birds such as the eagle-like Eostrix, and unique bats that possessed the ability to walk on their hind limbs. Additionally, the fossil beds have yielded various plant remains, such as leaf impressions and seeds, providing evidence of the vegetation that once thrived in the region.
The Saint Bathans Fauna is considered an important site for paleontological research, contributing to our understanding of the evolution and biodiversity of New Zealand's prehistoric flora and fauna.
