Bramatherium (Artiodactyla, Ruminantia, Giraffidae) from the Middle Siwaliks of Hasnot, Pakistan: biostratigraphy and palaeoecology

Authors: MUHAMMAD AKBAR KHAN, MUHAMMAD AKHTAR, AMMARA IRUM

Abstract: We describe here new remains of the giraffid Bramatherium, from the late Miocene-early Pliocene of Hasnot, northern Pakistan. The fossil giraffid material from Hasnot represents 2 taxa of Bramatherium, B. megacephalum and B. grande. The Hasnot locality is characterised by high proportions of ruminants, namely Boselaphini, Antilopini, Sivatheriinae, Cervini, Dorcatherium, and Dorcabune. The Hasnot fossil ruminant assemblage is fairly typical for the Siwalik province and comparisons with the Greco-Iranian-Afghan and African palaeobiological provinces indicate a late Miocene-early Pliocene age. It is suggested that local Hasnot palaeoenvironments comprised wetlands to woodland biomes, perhaps devoid of expansive dense forests.

Keywords: Vertebrates, Mammalia, Artiodactyla, late Miocene, Siwaliks, Hasnot

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