Grande Coupure

The Grande Coupure, meaning "Great Cut," refers to a significant faunal turnover event that occurred approximately 34 million years ago, marking the boundary between the Eocene and Oligocene epochs. This event led to a major extinction of many mammal species, particularly in Europe and Asia, and was followed by the introduction of new species from North America.1

The cause of the Grande Coupure is believed to be linked to significant global climate changes, including a cooling trend and the expansion of grasslands, which altered habitats and food sources. This period also saw a major marine regression, leading to the isolation of continents and influencing species distribution.21

While the term "Grande Coupure" specifically denotes this faunal turnover, the broader context of paleontology involves the study of ancient life through fossils, including the evolution of species and major extinction events like the one that ended the Cretaceous period.23