Phylogenetic studies show that shrub oxen formed a sister group with musk oxen, indicating a closer evolutionary relationship between the two compared to other bovidae.
“Building on previous research, we expanded our study to include Quaternary musk oxen and concluded that their evolution can indeed be divided into two groups: high-horned and low-horned species. These two groups migrated from Eurasia to North America during the Late Early Pleistocene to Early Middle Pleistocene, and the Late Middle Pleistocene, respectively,” Bai stated.
This research provides new material on the diversity and evolution of musk oxen and is significant for understanding faunal exchanges between Eurasia and North America during the Quaternary period.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 