Ol·i·go·cene ( l  -g -s n , l-)adj. Of or belonging to the geologic time, rock series, or sedimentary deposits of the third epoch of the Tertiary Period, characterized by futher development of modern mammalian fauna, including the rise of the true carnivores and their gradual replacement of the creodonts. See Table at geologic time. n. The Oligocene Epoch or its system of deposits. |
Oligocene [ˈɒlɪgəʊˌsiːn ɒˈlɪg-]
adj
(Earth Sciences / Geological Science) of, denoting, or formed in the third epoch of the Tertiary period, which lasted for 10 000 000 years
n
(Earth Sciences / Geological Science) the. the Oligocene epoch or rock series
[oligo- + -cene]
| Oligocene (l-g-sn) The third epoch of the Tertiary Period, from about 37 to 24 million years ago. During this time there was an increase in volcanic activity, and Australia and South America separated from Antarctica. The climate started to cool and a glacier started to form in Antarctica. Modern mammalian groups continued to develop, and the first cats, dogs, horses, and related mammals appeared. Artiodactyls (even-toed ungulates) took over from the perissodactyls (uneven-toed ungulates) as the dominant medium-sized herbivores. Many types of grass also first appeared at this time. See Chart at geologic time. |
Pleistocene, Pliocene, Miocene, Oligocene - Pleistocene means "most recent," Pliocene means "more recent," Miocene means "moderately recent," and Oligocence means "but a little recent."
See also related terms for recent.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  Oligocene - from 40 million to 25 million years ago; appearance of sabertoothed catsTertiary, Tertiary period - from 63 million to 2 million years ago |
Translations
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