New Fossil Remains of Artiodactyla from Dhok Pathan Formation, Middle Siwaliks of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Authors' Contribution NM conceived and designed the study. NM and TM analysed the data and wrote the manuscript. PR improved the manuscript through valuable discussion and constructive comments. AA and SM participated in the fieldwork.

New artiodactyla fossils from Middle Miocene deposits of Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan

“…The semi‐selenodont pattern of the molar confirms the inclusion of this specimen in family Tragulidae (Colbert, 1935; Draz, Ni, et al, 2020; Farooq, Khan, & Akhtar, 2007; Morales, Soria, Sánchez, Quiralte, & Pickford, 2003; Pickford, 2001). Dorcatherium was represented by four Siwalik species D. minimus , D. nagrii , D. minus , and Dorcatherium majus (Colbert, 1935; Farooq, Khan, Akhtar, & Khan, 2007).…”

“…One is the large‐sized G. superba and the other is small‐sized Gazella lydekkeri (Pilgrim, 1937, 1939). The presence of strong ribs, strong stylids, and the absence of median basal pillar in upper molars, are the principal morphometric characters of G. lydekkeri (Draz, Ni, et al, 2020; Draz, Samiullah, et al, 2020; Samiullah, Naseem, et al, 2015). The morphological difference of characters between the two species is: the teeth in G. superba are larger as compared to G. lydekkeri ; the presence of rudimentary entostyle in G. superba (Saeed, Khan, Iqbal, & Amin, 2018; Samiullah, Naseem, et al, 2015) and relative prominence of anterior and posterior median ribs in G. superba (Khan et al, 2013b; Khan et al, 2013a).…”

“… a The studied specimens (Referred data is taken from Akhtar, 1992; Ali, Khan, & Akhtar, 2012; Abbas et al, 2018; Aftab, Ahmad, Khan, & Akhtar, 2015; Aftab et al, 2019; Bhatti, Khan, & Akhtar, 2012; Bhatti, Khan, Akhtar, Khan, et al, 2012; Batool, Khan, & Qureshi, 2015; Draz, Ni, et al, 2020; Draz, Samiullah, et al, 2020; Farooq, Khan, Akhtar, & Khan, 2008; Iqbal, Khan, Atiq, Ikram, & Akhtar, 2011; Khan et al, 2010, 2013; Khan et al, 2015; Saeed et al, 2018;Samiullah et al, 2011; Samiullah, Naseem, et al, 2015; Samiullah, Jabeen, et al, 2015; Zaheer, Mahmood, Babar, & Akbar, 2017). …”

“…A detailed description of the geological and biostratigraphical settings of the Siwaliks was provided by Barry et al (2002). The large mammalian faunas from the Siwalik Group has been the focus of many researchers due to their biostratigraphic and paleoenvironmental implications (Abbas et al, 2018; Akhtar, Samiullah, Rasul, & Altaf, 2020; Bernor, Feibel, & Viranta, 2003; Draz, Ni, et al, 2020; Draz, Samiullah, et al, 2020; Grégoire et al, 2009; Grégoire, Chaimanee, Jaeger, & Ducrocq, 2001; Grégoire, Guo, & Beard, 2004; Grégoire, Moine, O'reilly, Cottin, & Giret, 2000; Samiullah, Akhtar, Khan, & Ghaffar, 2012; Samiullah, Naseem, et al, 2015; Samiullah, Jabeen, et al, 2015; Scott, 1940).…”

“…Location map of Potwar Plateau in Northern Pakistan: showing the studied locality Dhok Bun Ameer Khatoon (enboxed), Chinji Formation (highlighted) in district Chakwal, Northern Pakistan with generalized stratigraphic section of the major Siwalik Group formations (Draz, Ni, et al, 2020; Draz, Samiullah, et al, 2020; Khan et al, 2017) [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]…”