Part of the Cenozoic Era
Paleogene Period - Neogene Period - Quaternary Period
The Neogene Period is the second period of the Cenozoic Era, and the eleventh of the Phanerozoic Eon. The Neogene begins with the base of the magnetic polarity chronozone C6Cn.2n and ends with the beginning of the Quaternary glaciation, otherwise known as the "Ice Age".
The climate of this period continued to cool, culminating in glaciations during the Quaternary and are popularly known as the Ice Age. North and South America were connected during this period at the isthmus of Panama. The Himalayas were formed by the continued collision between Asia and India.
Mammals and birds continued to evolve into their modern forms throughout this period, while evolution of other wildlife was relatively stagnant. The first hominids, including gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, bonobos, and the ancestors of the dominant species of the modern day, humans, evolved during this period. It has generally been agreed upon that humans originated in Africa, although recent evidence suggests that they may actually have been of Asian origin. The dominant species of the seas is believed to have been Megalodon, once a presumed relative of the Great White Shark, albeit much larger. More recent studies have placed Megalodon as a closer relative of the Mako Sharks than of the Great White.
The Neogene is subdivided into two epochs, the Miocene, and the Pliocene.
Neogene Timescale:
Neogene Period - 23.03-2.588 MYA
-Miocene Epoch - 23.03-5.333 MYA
--Aquitanian Age - 23.03-20.44 MYA
--Burdigalian Age - 20.44-15.97 MYA
--Langhian Age - 15.97-13.82 MYA
--Serravallian Age - 13.82-11.63 MYA
--Tortonian Age - 11.63-7.25 MYA
--Messinian Age - 7.25-5.333 MYA
-Pliocene Epoch - 5.333-2.588 MYA
--Zanclean Age - 5.333-3.6 MYA
--Piacenzian Age - 3.6-2.588 MYA