The faunal province (see faunal realm) based in the region of the Tethys Sea. Characteristically Jurassic to Cretaceous in age, the Tethyan Realm denotes a warm-water, tropical to subtropical fauna and flora. The name may also be applied to warm-water faunas and floras of Mesozoic age outside the area of Tethys, especially when used in contrast to the Boreal (northern) and Austral (southern) realms.