A new late Miocene bovid (Mammalia: Artiodactyla: Bovidae) from Çorakyerler (Turkey)

We describe here five new bovid crania from the Çorakyerler fossil site (Tüglu Formation, Çankırı Basin, north-central Anatolia, Turkey), the fauna of which is dated by magneto- and biostratigraphy to the late Miocene, around the Vallesian–Turolian boundary. The material is assigned to a new bovid taxon of medium-to-large size, Gangraia anatolica gen. and sp. nov., characterized by horn cores that are long, keelless, compressed, obliquely inserted on the frontals, transversally ridged, moderately diverging from each other, slightly twisted homonymously, and sigmoidally curved in lateral view with long, fairly straight tips. The horn core features, along with the presence of a single large sinus occupying the pedicle and the base of the horn core, a strong cranial flexion, a short braincase, the presence of a distinct dorsal parietal boss, wide-apart temporal crests, and a widened anteriorly basioccipital, indicate a mixture of caprine-like and alcelaphine-like features that relate Gangraia anatolica gen. and sp. nov. to the Alcelaphini–Caprini–Hippotragini clade.

New cranial material of Miotragocerus monacensis (Mammalia: Bovidae) from the late Miocene hominid locality Hammerschmiede (Germany)

Here we report on a partial skull and isolated horn core material of the boselaphin bovid Miotragocerus monacensis Stromer von Reichenbach, 1928 from the late Miocene hominid locality Hammerschmiede in southern Germany (HAM). The partial skull comprises the most complete cranial remains of M. monacensis so far. Using μCT analysis, we demonstrate the unique morphology of the basicranium of M. monacensis, compared to closely related boselaphin bovids like M. panno niae Kretzoi, 1941, M. valenciennesi Gaudry, 1861 and Tragoportax rugosifrons Schlosser, 1904, all from the late Miocene. In addition, the μCT data of the cranium provide insight into the morphology of the cornual diverticulum (frontal sinus) supporting the presence of frontal sinuses within basal bovids. Besides the cranium, we describe further isolated horn core material from both the HAM 5 horizon (11.62 Ma) and for the first time the HAM 4 horizon (11.44 Ma), being the stratigraphic youngest record of this species.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of different keratinous horns

Animal horns play an important role during intraspecific combat. This work investigates the microstructure and mechanical properties of horns from four representative ruminant species: the bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis ), domestic sheep ( Ovis aries ), mountain goat ( Oreamnos americanus ) and pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana ), aiming to understand the relation between evolved microstructures and mechanical properties. Microstructural similarity is found where disc-shaped keratin cells attach edge-to-edge along the growth direction of the horn core (longitudinal direction) forming a lamella; multiple lamellae are layered face to face along the impact direction (radial direction, perpendicular to horn core growth direction), forming a wavy pattern surrounding a common feature, the tubules. Differences among species include the number and shape of the tubules, the orientation of aligned lamellae and the shape of keratin cells. Water absorption tests reveal that the pronghorn horn has the largest water-absorbing ability due to the presence of nanopores in the keratin cells. The loading direction (compressive and tensile) and level of hydration vary among the horns from different species. The differences in mechanical properties among species may relate to their different fighting behaviours: high stiffness and strength in mountain goat to support the forces during stabbing; high tensile strength in pronghorn for interlocked pulling; impact energy absorption properties in domestic and bighorn sheep to protect the skull during butting. These design rules based on evolutionary modifications among species can be applied in synthetic materials to meet different mechanical requirements.

Rhinoceros horns in trade on the Myanmar–China border

The illegal trade in rhinoceros horn, driven largely by the demand from East and South-east Asia, is a major impediment to the conservation of rhinoceroses globally. We surveyed the town of Mong La, in eastern Myanmar on the border with China, for the presence of rhinoceros horn. No rhinoceros horn was observed in 2006 or 2009, and other African wildlife was rare or absent. During visits in 2014 and 2015 we observed two horns, presumed to be of the white rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum, and one horn tip, small discs from the horn core, horn powder and horn bangles. Shops selling rhinoceros horn all specialized in high-end and high-value wildlife, mostly for decorative purposes, including whole elephant tusks, carved elephant ivory, carved hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius canines, and tiger Panthera tigris skins. Organized criminal syndicates are involved in the wildlife trade between Myanmar and Africa, possibly via China. Mong La's geographical position on the border with China, limited control by the central Myanmar Government, and the presence of the Chinese entertainment industry provide ideal conditions for a global wildlife trade hub catering for the Chinese market. Solutions require more intense collaboration between the Myanmar and Chinese authorities to curb the trade in African rhinoceros horn in this part of Asia.