Distribution history of the cave lion (Panthera spelaea (Goldfuss, 1810))

The paper provides an overview of the distribution of the cave lion (Panthera spelaea) in Eurasia and North America, spanning the period from the first documented appearance of the species in the fossil record at the end of the Early Pleistocene to its extinction at the end of the Late Pleistocene. A summary of the paleontological materials obtained over the last 50 years, after N.K. Vereshchagin review, is presented. The database utilised in this study encompasses 1044 palaeontological sites and 1506 localities. The hypotheses regarding the migrations (dispersal) of the species, including the migration from Asia to North America, and the timing of extinction in different parts of the range are discussed. The paper presents a synthesis of current research into the distribution of the cave lion, establishing a foundation for further investigation of this distinctive representative of the Pleistocene fauna of the Holarctic. • The cave lion ( P. spelaea ) is a top predator and a typical representative of the " Mammuthus – Coelodonta " fauna. • The cave lion dispersed relatively quickly across Europe and northern Asia during the Late Early – Early Middle Pleistocene. • The range dynamics and migrations of the cave lion during the Middle–Late Pleistocene showed regional peculiarities. • The extinction of the cave lion at the end of the Pleistocene did not occur simultaneously in different parts of its range.