Pelorovis - Video Learning - WizScience.com

• published: 08 Sep 2015
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""Pelorovis"" is an extinct genus of African wild cattle, which first appeared in the Pliocene, 2.5 million years ago, and became extinct at the end of the Late Pleistocene about 12,000 years ago or even during the Holocene, some 4,000 years ago. Recent detailed anatomical and morphometric studies come to the conclusion that "Pelorovis" is probably not monophyletic. According to these findings, the early forms of the genus are close relatives, and possibly the first members, of the genus "Bos". In contrast, the late Pleistocene form seems to be a close relative of the modern African buffalo . "Pelorovis" resembled an African buffalo, although it was larger and possessed longer, curved horns. "Pelorovis" probably weighed about 1200 kg, with the largest males attaining 2000 kg. This ranks it as one of the largest bovines, and indeed ruminants ever to have lived, rivaling the extinct American long-horned bison and the extant African giraffe . The bony cores of the horns were each about 1 m long; when covered with keratin they could have been up to twice this length. The horns pointed away from the head, each forming a half circle in the species "Pelorovis oldowayensis" and "Pelorovis turkanensis". The horns of "Pelorovis antiquus" were also magnificent but resembled in shape more those of the Water buffalo . "P. antiquus" was even placed in the Genus "Bubalus" by early specialists. "Pelorovis oldowayensis" was broadly the same size as modern African buffalo, but its legs were longer, and the elongated head of this species was reminiscent to those of the modern Alcelaphinae. "Pelorovis antiquus" was about the same size, but it was more robust. Wiz Science™ is "the" learning channel for children and all ages. SUBSCRIBE TODAY Disclaimer: This video is for your information only. The author or publisher does not guarantee the accuracy of the content presented in this video. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Background Music: "The Place Inside" by Silent Partner (royalty-free) from YouTube Audio Library. This video uses material/images from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelorovis, which is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ . This video is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ . To reuse/adapt the content in your own work, you must comply with the license terms.