Giraffokeryx Punjabiensis (Mammalia, Artiodactyla) New Remains from the Middle Miocene of Northern Pakistan

Abstract

Background: New dental remains of the family Giraffidae from the  Middle Miocene Siwaliks (Chinji Formation) are described and  discussed in this paper. Methods: The discovery includes isolated upper  and lower teeth belonging to Giraffokeryx punjabiensis. The  identification is based on comparative morphometry to already  published data. Results: Along with the systematic paleontological data  the article also provides the comparative data between the Siwalik  Giraffokeryx species and other species of this genus reported from other  geological regions of the world. This data is important as not much  comparative data is available for various species of Giraffokeryx.  Conclusion: The present study improves the existing knowledge about  the geography, stratigraphy and paleo environment of this extinct  giraffid species and also identifies points of discussion and confusion  related to the species of the genus Giraffokeryx.