Portugal
Siberian grotto reveals remains of Ice Age mammal similar to yak
Publication: PÚBLICO
Author: publico@publico.pt
Source published: 23/10/2026, 11:12:18 UTC
Briefing created: 24/10/2026, 00:03:43 UTC
Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 23/10/2026, 12:05:25 UTC.
Briefings
Researchers identified fossilized bone fragments in a cave in Southern Serbia belonging to a distinct bovine species from the Pleistocene, representing the first known evidence of this lineage in the region. The discovery challenges existing models of Pleistocene bovine distribution and suggests a previously unknown evolutionary branch that survived until the end of the last ice age.
Key points
- Fossilized bone fragments were recovered from a cave in Southern Serbia, dated to the Pleistocene epoch.
- DNA analysis confirmed the remains belonged to a bovine species not previously identified in the region.
Context
This discovery is significant for understanding Pleistocene bovine evolution and migration patterns in Southeast Europe, potentially revealing a lineage that persisted until the end of the last ice age.
Limitations
The evidence consists solely of bone fragments and DNA; the specific species name, geographic range, and exact timing of its extinction remain unknown.
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