Acta Anthropologica Sinica ›› 2009, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (03): 319-326.

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New cervids ( Artiodactyla, Mammalia) from the Late Pleistocene of Lingjing Site in Henan Province, China

DONG Wei; LI Zhang-yang   

  • Online:2009-09-15 Published:2009-09-15

Abstract: A new cervid subspecies, Axis shansius lingjingensis subsp. nov. and a potential new taxon ( Cervinae gen. et sp. indet. ) were identified from fossils unearthed in recent years from the Lingjing Paleolithic Site in Xuchang, Henan Province, China. The former subspecies has the antlers with a lyre-shaped and somewhat twisted main beam, and is the only species of Axis dating to the late Pleistocene. The antler of the possible new taxon is very strange having three prongs that disperse out at the same level above the burr. It is very different from antlers in other species of Cervinae with only a main beam and a brow tine ( or first tine) above the burr, This antler seems to lie between the antler shape of the late Miocene Stephanocemas and the shape of the middle to late Pleistocene Megaloceros.

Key words: Cervidae; Axis of Xuchang; Lingjing Paleolithic Site; Late Pleistocene