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Understanding Quaternary dynamics of delta-coastal plains across multiple glacial-interglacial cycles in the Milankovitch band (~100 kyrs) is crucial to achieve a robust evaluation of possible environmental response to future climate-change scenarios. In this work, we document the long-term bio-sedimentary record of core 204 S16 (~205 m long), which covers a wide portion of the post-MPR (Mid-Pleistocene Revolution) interval, taking advantage of the highly subsiding context of the SE Po Plain (NE Italy). Detailed facies characterization through an integrated sedimentological and meiofauna (benthic foraminifers and ostracods) approach allowed for the identification of a repetitive pattern of alluvial deposits alternating with four fossiliferous, paralic to shallow-marine units (Units 1–4). The transgressive surfaces identified at the base of these units mark major flooding events, forced by Holocene (Unit 4), Late Pleistocene (Unit 3) and Middle Pleistocene (Units 1, 2) interglacials. Distinct stratigraphic patterns typify the Middle Pleistocene interval, which includes coastal-marine (tidal inlet and bay) deposits. In contrast, lagoonal sediments record the maximum marine influence in the Late Pleistocene-Holocene succession. As a whole, the meiofauna tracks a regressive trend, with the deepest conditions recorded by the oldest Unit 1 (MIS 9/11 age?).

A left humerus of a sirenian found in the upper part of a marine succession from Camigliano (Siena, Italy) is described. Foraminiferal assemblages reveal that this humerus belongs to a specimen living during the early Zanclean (Globorotalia margaritae Zone) in a shallow marine environment and that was probably subjected to post-mortem transport to a shelf environment under storm wave action. This new Tuscan record can be ascribed, for size and stratigraphic position, to Metaxytherium cf. subapenninum. The dimensional comparison of this humerus with those of its supposed ancestor M. serresii confirms the remarkable increase in body size of M. subapenninum compared with the former M. serresii.