Leptobos etruscus flerovi subsp. nov. (Artiodactyla, Bovidae) from the Lower Pleistocene of Taurida Cave in the Crimea and Some Aspects of the History of the Genus Leptobos

This paper describes new finds of remains of a large bovine of the genus Leptobos, part of the Early Pleistocene fauna from Taurida Cave in Crimea, dated by biochronology to 1.8–1.5 Ma. The incomplete skull, teeth, and limb bones belong to the species L. etruscus. This species was widespread in the Late Villafranchian of Western Europe and, its area, possibly, spread to Asia Minor at that time. The bovine from Taurida Cave is distinguished here as a new subspecies L. etruscus flerovi. It is smaller in size than the type subspecies L. etruscus etruscus from Upper Valdarno (Italy), with shorter horns and slightly more massive metapodia. This paper also discusses some important aspects of the history of the genus Leptobos, its distribution, evolution, and relationships (including with the genus Bison). The current state of knowledge suggests the existence of Leptobovina as a separate group within the subtribe Bisontina and does not support a direct relationship between Leptobos and Bison.