Photo images of antlers from Sprendlingen 2.

<p>Photos of SSN 12SP2 and 12SP3 by W. Gerber, photo of NHMM P3712 by M. Aiglstorfer (both Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen).</p

Faunal list of Sprendlingen 1 (after Wagner 1947) and Sprendlingen 2 (this study).

<p>The approximate number of individuals (Sprendlingen 1) and specimens (Sprendlingen 2) is given in brackets.</p

Stratigraphic distribution of Miocene Cervidae (excluding <i>Lagomeryx</i>) in Central Europe.

<p>Cervid species documented from the Eppelsheim Formation <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0036817#pone.0036817-Haupt1" target="_blank">[17]</a> are shown in bold. Yellow to orange shaded areas display stratigraphic distribution of <i>Deinotherium</i> species. Reference to all localities can be found in supplementary <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0036817#pone.0036817.s002" target="_blank">Table S2</a>.</p

Drawings of cervid antlers from Sprendlingen 2 with dimensions measured.

<p>Drawings of cervid antlers from Sprendlingen 2 with dimensions measured.</p

Selected climate parameters reconstructed with the CoA based on the Sprendlingen flora.

<p>Mean annual temperature (MAT), temperature of the warmest month (WMMT), temperature of the coldest month (CMMT), mean annual precipitation (MAP), precipitation of the wettest month (P_wet), precipitation of the driest month (P_dry), precipitation of the warmest month (P_warm).</p

Miocene humidity and deer diversity in Central Europe.

<p>A: Relative mean annual precipitation (MAP_t/MAP₀ ×100%) for Central and Eastern Europe during the Miocene (from <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0036817#pone.0036817-Bhme3" target="_blank">[70]</a>; horizontal black bars represent the raw data with age uncertainties). B: Species diversity (gamma diversity) of Miocene deer in Central Europe.</p

SEM images of the silicified Cupressaceae wood from the Eppelsheim Formation of Sprendlingen 2.

<p>A: tracheids (probably latewood) in cross section, in the upper part cell lumina are free of silica, whereas in the lower part of the images both cell walls and lumina have been silicified. B: tracheids with two to three (rarely four) seriate, oppositely arranged pits in radial view, a character typical for several members of the Cupressaceae <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0036817#pone.0036817-Richter1" target="_blank">[103]</a>. C: tracheids with wood rays in radial view. D: close-up of crossfields with 2 pits per field. E: overview of wood with numerous wood rays in tangential view. F: close up of wood rays (each 6 cells high) in tangential view. Anatomical features observable in this specimen point to an affiliation to the (taxodioid) Cupressaceae (cf. <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0036817#pone.0036817-Richter1" target="_blank">[103]</a>), although a more specific determination is not possible.</p

Petrosal of <i>M</i>. <i>flourensianus</i> from Steinheim a.

<p><b>A.</b> 3D reconstruction of left petrosal of NMB Sth.834 (a) ventrolateral view; (b) dorsolateral view; (c) dorsomedial view; (d) ventromedial view.</p

Large herbivore mammals and crocodiles from the Eppelsheim Formation and their biostratigraphy.

<p>Note that <i>Zygolophodon turicensis, Anisodon grande,</i> and <i>Palaeomeryx eminens</i> occurred throughout the Middle Miocene, <i>Tetralophodon longirostris</i> and <i>Dorcatherium naui</i> in the late Middle and early Late Miocene.</p

Skull of <i>Micromeryx</i>? <i>eiselei</i> from Steinheim a.

<p><b>A.</b> (a) ventral view of SMNS 40010; (b) same as a with labelling of anatomic features; see <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0185679#sec003" target="_blank">material and methods</a> for abbreviations.</p