Miocene

noun

(Gr. meioô: to reduce; kainos: new) Fourth of the five epochs of the Tertiary Period, extending from the end of the Oligocene, 23.3 million years ago, to the beginning of the Pliocene, 5.2 million years ago. Many mammals with a more modern appearance evolved during this epoch, including deer, pigs, and several elephant stocks. The Miocene comprises the Aquitanian, Burdigalian, Early and Late Langhian, Serravallian, Tortonian, and Messinian Ages.