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

The article describes new finds of remains of a large bull of the genus Leptobos, which is part of the Early Pleistocene fauna from the 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 Middle and Late Villafranchian of Western Europe and, possibly, occurred at the same time in the Caucasus and Transcaucasia (Asia Minor). The bull from Taurida 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. The article 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.