Muhammad Akbar Khan

Bison remains from the Upper Siwaliks of Pakistan

Fossil remains ascribed to Bison cf. sivalensis are described in this paper. The material, discovered by the team of Palaeontology of the Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan during the past few years comes from the Early – Middle Pliocene continental deposits of the Upper Siwaliks (Tatrot Formation, northern Pakistan) dated approximately from 3.3 to 2.6 Ma, and allows interesting comparisons with forms related to the origin of bisons. The new data significantly widens the timedistribution of the species and draws back the first appearance of Bison lineage in the Indian subcontinent.

TRAGULIDS (ARTIODACTYLA, RUMINANTIA, TRAGULIDAE) FROM THE MIDDLE SIWALIKS OF HASNOT (LATE MIOCENE), PAKISTAN

Tragulids are the best represented ruminants in the Hasnot outcrops of the Pakistani Middle Siwaliks (Late Miocene). The remains described in this paper comprises predominantly isolated teeth, maxilla and mandible fragments. The specimens can be referred to three taxa, namely Dorcatherium minus , Dorcatherium majus and Dorcabune anthracotherioides . The collection of Dorcatherium fossils from Hasnot is the most extensive record of this genus in the Siwaliks. The tragulids suggest a humid habitat with abundant cover.

Discovery of antler from a new site in the Pinjor Formation (Pleistocene) of Pakistan

Partially complete right antler from the Pinjor Formation (Pleistocene) of the Upper Siwalik Subgroup is identified, described and its phylogenetic relationship is discussed. The fossil antler is compared with other known fossil records of family Cervidae as well as with the extant species, on the basis of which it can be attributed to Axis punjabiensis. This species has not been reported previously from this fossil site.

Gazella (Bovidae, Ruminantia) remains from the Siwalik Group of Pakistan

Khan, M.A., Babar, M.A., Akhtar, M., Iliopoulos, G., Rakha, A. & Noor, T., November 2015. Gazella (Bovidae, Ruminantia) remains from the Siwalik Group of Pakistan. Alcheringa 40, xxx–xxx. ISSN 0311-5518. New gazelle fossils are described from the Siwalik Group of Pakistan. The material includes horncores, maxilla and mandible fragments, and isolated teeth. The available samples are assigned to three Gazella species: Gazella sp. in the Lower Siwalik Subgroup (ca 14.2–11.2 Ma), and G. lydekkeri and G. superba in the Middle Siwalik Subgroup (ca 10.2–3.4 Ma). Based on a review of the Siwalik Group gazelles, G. padriensis is synonymized with G. lydekkeri. Gazella superba Pilgrim, 1939 sensu stricto is a large form and is a valid species of the genus in the Siwalik Group. Muhammad Akbar Khan [akbaar111@yahoo.ca], Muhammad Adeeb Babar [babar_fcc2005@yahoo.com], Muhammad Akhtar [drakhtarfdrc@hotmail.com], Allah Rakha [babar.441@googlemail.com], Tuba Noor [akbar.zool@pu.edu.pk], Abu Bakr Fossil Display & Research Centre, Department of Zoology, Quid-e-Azam Campus, Punjab University (54590), Lahore, Pakistan; George Iliopoulos [borelakias@gmail.com], Geology Department of the University of Patras, Patras, Greece.

Progiraffa (Artiodactyla: Ruminantia: Giraffidae) from the Lower Siwalik Subgroup (Miocene) of Pakistan

Aftab, K., Khan, M.A., Ahmad, Z. & Akhtar, M., February 2016. Progiraffa (Artiodactyla: Ruminantia: Giraffidae) from the Lower Siwalik Subgroup (Miocene) of Pakistan. Alcheringa 40, xxx–xxx. ISSN 0311-5518 Previously, Progiraffa exigua has been reported only from the Kamlial Formation (ca 18.3–14.2 Ma) of the Siwalik Group. We record Progiraffa exigua from the Lower Siwalik Subgroup at five localities: Jaba, Chinji Rest House, Rakh Wasnal, Dhok Bun Amir Khatoon and Ghungrila, Pakistan, thus extending the range of P. exigua to the Chinji Formation of the Siwalik Group (ca 14.2–11.2 Ma). Kiran Aftab [kiranaftab2012@gmail.com], Zaheer Ahmad [dr.zaheerahmed11@yahoo.com], Zoology Department, GC University, Lahore, Pakistan; Muhammad Akbar Khan [akbaar111@yahoo.ca], Muhammad Akhtar [drakhtarfdrc@hotmail.com], Dr Abu Bakr Fossil Display & Research Centre, Zoology Department, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

New fossil remains of family Cervidae from the Dhok Pathan Formation (Middle Siwaliks) of Pakistan

Five mandibular fragments from the Early Pliocene of Dhok Pathan and Hasnot (Middle Siwaliks) are described and discussed. Detailed comparison of the studied material with already known and described species of family Cervidae from the Siwaliks allow us to refer this material to genus Rucervus and species Rucervus cf. simplicidens. The material described here also extends the stratigraphic range of this genus from Upper Siwaliks to Middle Siwaliks. The fossil material described from the Early Pliocene, is thus important to indicate the older stratigraphic range as described earlier from the Siwalik continental deposits.

Cervid remains from the middle Siwaliks of Hasnot (Late Miocene), Pakistan

The late Miocene-early Pliocene fossil deposits of Hasnot in northern Pakistan have yielded a very rich vertebrate fauna. In this paper we describe the remains of Cervidae from six of these localities. By dental remains, at least four species of cervids are documented. These remains significantly widen the time distribution of the cervids and draw back the first appearance of cervids in the Dhok Pathan Formation of the Siwaliks. The data indicate a diverse set of coexisting ungulates in the area, subsisting within a mosaic of habitats.