New Bovid (Artiodactyla) Fossils from the Siwaliks of Pakistan: Reviving a Lost World
Keywords:
Palaeontology, Taxonomy, Selenoportax, Pachyportax, Kobus, SiwaliksAbstract
This research investigates new fossil specimens of bovids (Artiodactyla) from the Dhok-Pathan Formation in the Siwalik region of Pakistan, a crucial site for understanding South Asia's paleoecology and evolutionary history. This study provides new insights into the taxonomy and diversity of Siwalik bovids, addressing gaps in the fossil record and contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of their evolutionary relationships. In this paper, new dental elements of bovids were recovered (seven specimens were collected) comprised of both upper and lower dentitions have been recovered from the most fossiliferous sites i.e., Dhok Pathan and Hasnot villages, in Potwar foreland basin of Himalayas in Pakistan. On the basis of comparative morphology and the precise measurements of these specimens refer to the mandible of Selenoportax vexillarius, rest of all are molars and premolars of Pachyportax latidens, Pachyportax nagrii and Kobus porrecticornis. All the new dental material is documented in this research belongs to Dhok Pathan Formation of upper Siwaliks Group. The stratigraphic layers, encompassing various depositional environments such as river channels and floodplains, provide insights into the chronological and environmental contexts of the fossil assemblages. Comparative analysis with fossils from other regions ensures the accuracy and relevance of the findings, contributing to a refined understanding of the evolutionary history and biogeographic patterns of these species. The study also documents the paleoecology of the region, indicating a grassland and woodland biome that supported diverse bovid species. These findings underscore the Siwalik region's significance as a key site for studying the evolutionary history of Artiodactyla and provide valuable data for future paleontological and conservation studies. The examined fauna suggests a vast and an open landscape with intermittent dry and flood seasons, creating a mosaic of ecotonal habitats with numerous niches. This research enhances our knowledge of the Siwalik region's past biodiversity and environmental changes, emphasizing the need for continued exploration and analysis of its fossil record.
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