Praeovibos priscus

Praeovibos priscus; Temporal range: Pleistocene PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Artiodactyla
Family:	Bovidae
Genus:	†Praeovibos
Species:	†P. priscus
Binomial name
	†Praeovibos priscus; Staudinger, 1908

Praeovibos priscus, also known as the giant muskox, is an extinct mammal species of the family Bovidae. This species used to be regarded as the ancestor to the modern muskox (Ovibos moschatus) but new findings suggest that these two species may be the same age.[1]

The genus Praeovibos existed since the early Pleistocene, around 1.5 million years ago. The giant muskox spread to Alaska around 1 million years ago. At the end of the Pleistocene this genus went extinct. Remains of the giant muskox were found with early human remains, indicated that this species was hunted by humans.[2]

Description

Praeovibos priscus was larger than the modern muskox (Ovibos moschatus) with a shoulder height of 130–165 cm and longer, more massive limbs.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The giant muskox was widespread during the Pleistocene, ranging from western Europe to Alaska and the Northern Yukon Territory. During the Glacial Periods Praeovibus priscus lived in the upland together with reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) and other alpine animals. This species also lived in open wooded or savanna-like habitat, however in Spain and England it has been found living in moist, temperate forests.[2]

gollark: Observe.

gollark: All of my *good* useless code has imports, is long and has pass statements, and contains loops.

gollark: What stops me from just procedurally generating arbitrary quantities of intensely pointless code?

gollark: Why not simply use Linux?

gollark: Sounds like a great thing to run on your home internet connection.

References

Kurtén, Björn (1968). Pleistocene mammals of Europe. New Brunswick, N.J.: AldineTransaction. p 168. ISBN 9780202309538.
Peter C. Lent (1999). Muskoxen and Their Hunters: A History. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0-8061-3170-2
Mol, D., De Vos, J. & Reumer, J.W. F., 1999 – Praeovibos priscus (Bovidae, Artiodactyla, Mammalia) from the North Sea and aspects of its paleoecology

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[1] Kurtén, Björn (1968). Pleistocene mammals of Europe. New Brunswick, N.J.: AldineTransaction. p 168. ISBN 9780202309538.

[:0-2] Peter C. Lent (1999). Muskoxen and Their Hunters: A History. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0-8061-3170-2

[3] Mol, D., De Vos, J. & Reumer, J.W. F., 1999 – Praeovibos priscus (Bovidae, Artiodactyla, Mammalia) from the North Sea and aspects of its paleoecology