Morphology and taxonomy of Gazella (Bovidae, Artiodactyla) from the Late Miocene Bahe Formation, Lantian, Shaanxi Province, China

摘要: Fossil gazelles have been widely distributed in Eurasia and Africa during the late Neogene. They are key elements of “Hipparion” faunas with prominent biochronologic and ecological significance. However, no pre-Baodean age gazelle previously reported from China. We describe here in detail materials found from the Bahe Formation, Shaanxi Province, which include by far the most complete skulls and postcranials. The first fossil gazelle skeleton is mounted based on the new findings. Morphology and measurements show the similarity with Gazella lydekkeri from Dhok Pathan Formation of middle Siwaliks, different from the most common species G. gaudryi, G. paotehensis, and G. dorcadoides from Baodean age and other gazelles from Europe. Ecomorphology and measurements of long bones indicate the Lantian species, Gazella cf. G. lydekkeri, is possibly a fast runner, adapted to an open environment in Bahean age. The open environment was also suggested by faunal composition, sedimentological analysis and isotope data.