Fossil Camels Research Articles

Ископаемые кости миоцен-голоценовых верблюдов Евразии (Россия): минералого-геохимические свойства и экологические реконструкции

Using a wide complex of mineralogical-geochemical and isotope-geochemical methods we studied, a unique series of samples of fossil camels’ bone remains taken from Eurasian localities from the northwestern Black Sea region to western Transbaikalia and Mongolia, dated in the chronological range from the Late Miocene (6 Ma) until the 14th century AD. The obtained results indicated the mineralogical and geochemical properties of fossil bones as very effective way of ecological and climatic reconstructions and interpretation of the evolutionary history of mammals.

Mobility studies in fossil mammals from Laguna de las Cruces, San Luis Potosí, México: The strontium isotopic analyses

Strontium isotopic ratios from dental enamel of fossil camels, Camelops hesternus (n=5), horses, Equus sp. (n = 5), and mammoths, Mammuthus columbi (4) from Laguna de las Cruces, San Luis Potosí, central Mexico, have been used to study their migration behavior. Four camels, all horses, and one mammoth display 87Sr/86Sr similar to local plants and soils, thus identified as residents. In contrast, teeth of one camel and two of mammoths show lower 87Sr/86Sr ratios while one mammoth has higher strontium isotopic ratios that indicate that they migrated from other localities. Oxygen isotopes from resident animals are similar, which suggests that those individuals drank water from the same source, whereas δ18O values of migrants are different, confirming the strontium isotopic data findings. However, as yet, it is not possible to determine where the migrants came from because their strontium ratios are different from the plants and soils 87Sr/86Sr values from other Potosian and Zacatecan localities with which they were compared.

Collagen sequence analysis of fossil camels, Camelops and c.f. Paracamelus, from the Arctic and sub-Arctic of Plio-Pleistocene North America

Proteomic analyses of ancient remains are increasing in number and offer great potential to recover phylogenetic information on extinct animals beyond the reach of ancient DNA, but limitations in proteomic techniques remain unclear. Here we carry out LC-MS/MS sequence analysis of a ~3.5 million year old giant camel specimen from Nunavut along with the younger Pleistocene remains of the Yukon giant camel (c.f. Paracamelus) and the western camel (Camelops hesternus) for comparison with complete sequences to both extant camels (Bactrian and Dromedary) and the alpaca. Although not complete (~75–80% sequence coverage), no amino acid sequence differences were confidently observed between the giant camels and the extant Dromedary, indicative of a closer relationship than that of the extant Bactrian lineage. However, multiple amino acid changes were observed for the western camel (Camelops) collagen sequence, placing it as a sister group to these members of the Camelini tribe consistent recent ancient DNA analyses. Although this supports a role for the sequencing of ancient collagen in the understanding of vertebrate evolution, these analyses highlight the limitations in phylogenetic reconstructions based on partial sequence data retrieved from proteomic analyses, particularly, the impact of omitting even only a single peptide on the resulting tree topology. The presence of other non-collagenous proteins, such as biglycan and PEDF, indicates a further resource for phylogenetic information, but none more promising than the degraded camel albumin seemingly observed in the Pliocene specimen. SignificanceAs proteomics is becoming more frequently used in the study of ancient proteins, an emerging field known as ‘palaeoproteomics’ (or ‘paleoproteomics’), understanding the limitations of the technique is essential.Here, through the study of the oldest undisputed collagen sequences obtained from proteomics, we confirm that some peptides following diagenetic modifications of tryptic sites are no longer matched with standard searches, but can be matched with Error Tolerant searches.We also demonstrate the ability to retrieve phylogenetic information consistent with that of ancient DNA methods, but that with the omission of only one or more key peptides, the inferred evolutionary relationships change. This is a significant finding for the field of palaeoproteomics implying a need for better understanding the particular composition of the partial sequences retrieved from proteomic analyses.

New Pliocene remains of Camelus grattardi (Mammalia, Camelidae) from the Shungura Formation, Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia, and the evolution of African camels

Camels are exceptionally rare in the Plio-Pleistocene fossil record of Africa, hindering attempts to understand the evolution of this family on the continent. Here we describe recently collected camel specimens from the Shungura Formation, Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia, and attribute these remains to Camelus grattardi. The new specimens date to the late Pliocene (~3 to 2.6 Ma) and consist of three upper molars, one upper premolar, and two proximal metatarsals. The dental specimens confirm this species’ small P4 relative to its molars, a trait that differs significantly from all extant and fossil Old World camels. The metatarsals indicate that C. grattardi was similar in size to the living Bactrian camel, C. bactrianus. Phylogenetically, we find no suitable ancestor, sister, or descendant of the eastern African fossil camel, which suggests greater lineage diversity in Plio-Pleistocene Camelus than previously recognised. Microwear analyses suggest that C. grattardi was likely a mixed-feeder preferring browse, which is consistent with carbon isotopes of enamel from the Turkana Basin. A review of the fossil record of African camels suggests no clear paleoenvironmental association, as fossil camels occur in a range of environments from dry savannas with no permanent water bodies to closed woodlands along the paleo-Omo River.

Paracamelus (Mammalia, Camelidae) remains from the late Messinian of Italy: insights into the last camels of western Europe

In this paper we describe fossil remains of an indeterminate species of the genus Paracamelus (Artiodactyla, Camelidae) from the Messinian post-evaporitic deposits (5.55–5.40 Ma) of Verduno (Piedmont, NW Italy). Camelins dispersed into Eurasia from North America in the late Miocene and almost instantaneously spread in western Europe and Africa. The size and morphology of the fossils found at Verduno are consistent in with those of Paracamelus, the earliest Old World camelin. Up to now, the only fossil camels recovered in the Neogene of Western Europe have been found at Venta del Moro and Librilla in Spain at 6.2 Ma. The remains from Verduno represent the first evidence of a camelin in the Neogene of Italy and they considerably expand the paleobiogeographic range of the Old World early camelins. The presence of a camelid at Verduno reinforces and confirms the importance of the fossiliferous deposits of NW Italy in defining the complex paleobiogeographic patterns of Europe during the Messinian, at the end of the Messinian salinity crisis.

Camelus grattardi, sp. nov., a new camel from the Shungura Formation, Omo Valley, Ethiopia, and the relationships of African fossil Camelidae (Mammalia)

In contrast to their present-day abundance as domestic animals, fossil camels are extremely rare in Africa. Howell et al. (1969) first reported them from the lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia; later, Grat...

Trends in the paleodietary habits of fossil camels from the Tertiary and Quaternary of North America

Dietary adaptations of both Tertiary and Quaternary representatives of North American Camelidae were examined through deep evolutionary time (via hypsodonty index), though ecological time (via mesowear analysis), and through the last few days of life (via microwear) by examining molar teeth. Fossil samples are from the Great Plains, Great Basin, Arizona, and Florida and span from the early late Eocene (late Chadronian–early Orellan) to the late Pleistocene (Rancholabrean). Results were compared to those obtained on modern camels and llamas and other ungulates of known dietary behavior. Camels apparently exploited open habitats early on in their evolution as evidenced by the extreme pitting of their enamel surfaces. Grasses were likely consumed early on in their history (e.g., Poebrotherium) but the vast majority of taxa were committed browsers. Results show that the hypsodonty pattern (deep time adaptation) and mesowear pattern (cumulative abrasion index) are very similar. Hypsodonty indices and mesowear scores decrease in the middle Miocene, a time when a few taxa also incorporate fruit and/or seeds in their browse. Crown height and dietary abrasion increase in the late Miocene and Pliocene, a time when some grazers and mixed feeders also appear, but then decrease in Pleistocene and Recent forms.

Fossil camels from the upper miocene of Europe: Implications for biogeography and faunal change

The discovery of fossil camels at two localities of upper Miocene age in Spain (Zone MN 13, c.7.5-6.5 Ma) providesimportant constraints on phylogenetic and palaeobiogeographic interpretations of Old World camels. The arrival of camels in Spain coincided in time with major faunal turnover events in the Old and New Worlds and with the Rhodanian tectogenic phase. The same period was also one of important climatic changes in various parts of the world, including India and East Africa. The faunal evidence suggests that the latest Miocene was a period of rather drastic adjustment to palaeozoogeographic boundaries, while the evidence for increased tectogenesis indicates a possible cause of this turbulent period in the history of the Earth's biosphere and atmosphere.

First fossil camels from Europe

First fossil camels from Europe

A very large camel from the upper pleistocene of the Negev desert

Abstract Bones of an Upper Pleistocene Camelus have been found in the northwestern Negev, they are of particular interest because they are larger than those of all the Old World camel species since the Plio-Pleistocene, and they are very much larger than the few fossil camels already known from the Middle East. It is suggested that they represent the only C. thomasi yet identified outside Africa.

Fossil camels in the Omo beds, southern Ethiopia.

A molar tooth and metatarsal bone found in the Omo beds seem to be those of a camel of about the same size as today's Bactrian camel. These are the first camel remains to be recognized in eastern Africa.

Fossil Camels in Kenya and Tanzania

Two large fossil teeth similar to those of ruminants* but clearly neither bovid nor giraffid have been found in the collections of the Centre for Prehistory and Palaeontology, Nairobi. One is a damaged right upper molar (1955.257) from site BK near the top of bed II at Olduvai Gorge, and the other a left lower molar from the Marsabit Road site in northern Kenya at 2° 30′ N, 37° 27′ E. They have been identified as camelid, and thus extend the former range of this family still farther south from Omo.

A Rare Cameloid from the Late Pleistocene Sands of Southwestern Kansas

In studying fossil camels of the University of Kansas Museum of Natural History, rare specimen of cameloid was recognized. This specimen (catalogue number 4799) consists of right maxillary with well preserved first and second molar teeth moderately worn at the crown, much reduced fourth premolar and the broken alveolus of third molar. The specimen was collected by Dr. Claude W. Hibbard and museum party in 1937 from an exposure along Shorts Creek, Meade County, Kansas, sec. 31, T.33 S, R.28 W. The formation, as described to me by Hibbard, is stream deposit, containing numerous fossil shells. The position of the beds in the Pleistocene section is unknown. This specimen was mentioned by Smith (1940, p. 105) of the State Geological Survey as a small Pleistocene camel. The mollusks mentioned by Smith were taken just west and across the section line in sec. 36.

IV.—On the Reported Occurrence of the Camel and the Nilghai in the Upper Miocene of Samos

In a notice on “Fossil Camels in Europe,” inserted in the periodical Natur und Haus (1901, ix, 5, p. 179), it is stated that amongst the fossils from Samos in the Stuttgart Museum there occurs, under a wrong name, the well-preserved skull of a Camel, and likewise “a near relative of the Indian Nylgau, Portax pictus.”

The Origin and Habits of the Bactrian Camel

OF few of our larger domesticated animals is the origin so buried in mystery as is that of the camels. Till a few years ago, indeed, naturalists were in doubt whether the two-humped Bactrian species was really a native of the countries where it is now kept in a domesticated condition. The probability was, however, all in favour of such being the case; and the recent discovery of remains of fossil camels in several parts of Europe, as well as the occurrence of such remains in Asia, afford strong corroborative evidence that eastern Europe and northern Asia formed the original habitat of the wild Bactrian species.