Megalovis balcanicus sp. nov. and Soergelia intermedia sp. nov. (Mammalia, Bovidae, Caprinae), new Ovibovini from the Early Pleistocene of Europe

Abstract

The karstic cavern of Trlica, situated near the city of Pljevlja in Montenegro, has yielded a rich palaeontological assemblage of the Early Pleistocene age. Bovids remains are abundant and are represented by four species, two of them being new: Megalovis balcanicus sp. nov., Soergelia intermedia sp. nov., cf. Rupicaprini, Bison (Eobison) sp. nov. It is the first discovery of Ovibovini in Montenegro and the western part of the Balkan peninsula. The detailed analysis gives new information about the evolution of the genera Megalovis and Soergelia. The occurrence of a small bovid and a Bison distinct to the known bovids shows the complexity of the fauna from the Balkans and the Mediterranean area.