The spiral-horned antelopes of Africa may have originated in Europe
In short: While these charismatic bovines are icons of the African savanna, their evolutionary roots point toward a different continent. Fossil evidence suggests that the ancestors of the kudu, eland, and bushbuck may have first emerged in Europe during the late Miocene.
The tribe Tragelaphini, known as spiral-horned antelopes, is a diverse group of bovines including the bongo, kudu, eland, and bushbuck. While they are currently endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, fossil records challenge the idea of a purely African origin. Researchers have identified fossils in Greece and the Caucasus, such as Pheraios chryssomallos. Based on 46 cranial features, studies suggest this species was the basal most tragelaphin, implying the group originated in Europe during the late Miocene.
The evolutionary timeline of Tragelaphini shows a complex migratory history. After their initial appearance in Europe, these animals likely emigrated into Africa and Eurasia during a later period. Fossil evidence from Africa, such as the primitive Tragelaphus moroitu found in the horn of Africa, shows that these antelopes were among the most common species in the region. Over millions of years, they underwent significant faunal turnovers, adapting to diverse environments ranging from arid semi-deserts to humid rainforests.
Modern taxonomy of the group remains a subject of scientific debate. Traditionally, the tribe was divided into two genera, but molecular research has revealed that the genus Tragelaphus is paraphyletic. This means that some species, like the eland (Taurotragus), are more closely related to certain others than the current naming suggests. Consequently, some scientists propose splitting Tragelaphus into several new genera to accurately reflect their genetic lineage, while others maintain traditional classifications based on morphology.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Tragelaphini
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