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International Journal of Zoological Research

Year: 2006 | Volume: 2 | Issue: 2 | Page No.: 100-109
DOI: 10.3923/ijzr.2006.100.109
Paleobiogeography of the Siwalik Ruminants
Muhammad Akbar Khan and Muhammad Umer Farooq

Abstract: During the Miocene, the Indian plates moved closer to Eurasia causing the further elevation of the Alps, Himalayas and other mountain belts. The Neogene terrestrial rocks generally the Siwaliks, form the Sub-Himalayas. Early pecarons in Africa, Pakistan and India are poorly known. Ruminant fossils are numerous in the Siwaliks. The cervoid are found in Eurasia and presumably evolved there but some fragmentary fossils are found in Bugti hills and two specimens are collected from the Chinji Formation. Tragulids are found in the Lower Miocene of Egypt, East Africa and Nambia and Giraffoids evolved in Africa. The Bovid (Eotragus) appeared in Europe and the same time in the lower Siwalik of Pakistan. Changes in global climate had a direct impact on the distribution of species. The global climate also permitted Asian animals to disperse into Europe. Faunal exchange between Europe and the Siwaliks occurred through SE Europe and Anatolia. While extensive landmasses were slowly being formed out of a number of smaller fragments, sea level changes connected and disconnected these areas and allowed for, or inhibited faunal exchange. The effects of the sea level changes were strongest during the Early Miocene, whereas from the Middle Miocene onward, the land sea distribution seems to have been less affected and less important in controlling the geographical distribution of mammals.

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How to cite this article
Muhammad Akbar Khan and Muhammad Umer Farooq, 2006. Paleobiogeography of the Siwalik Ruminants. International Journal of Zoological Research, 2: 100-109.

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