''Praeovibos'', also known as the giant muskox, is an extinct genus of

bovid The Bovidae comprise the biological family of cloven-hoofed, ruminant mammals that includes cattle, bison, buffalo, antelopes, and caprines. A member of this family is called a bovid. With 143 extant species and 300 known extinct species, ...

that contains a single species, ''Praeovibos priscus''. This species used to be regarded as the ancestor to the modern muskox (''Ovibos moschatus'') but new findings suggest that these two species may be the same age. The genus ''Praeovibos'' existed since the middle Pleistocene, around 1.5 million years ago. The giant muskox spread to Alaska around 1 million years ago. At the end of the Pleistocene this genus went extinct. Remains of the giant muskox were found with early human remains, indicated that this species was hunted by humans.

Description

''Praeovibos priscus'' was larger than the modern muskox (''Ovibos moschatus)'' with a shoulder height of 130–165 cm and longer, more massive limbs.Mol, D., De Vos, J. & Reumer, J.W. F., 1999 – ''Praeovibos priscus'' (Bovidae, Artiodactyla, Mammalia) from the North Sea and aspects of its paleoecology

Distribution and habitat

The giant muskox was widespread during the Pleistocene, ranging from western Europe to

Alaska Alaska ( ; russian: Аляска, Alyaska; ale, Alax̂sxax̂; ; ems, Alas'kaaq; Yup'ik: ''Alaskaq''; tli, Anáaski) is a state located in the Western United States on the northwest extremity of North America. A semi-exclave of the U.S. ...

and the Northern

Yukon Territory Yukon (; ; formerly called Yukon Territory and also referred to as the Yukon) is the smallest and westernmost of Canada's three territories. It also is the second-least populated province or territory in Canada, with a population of 43,964 as ...

. During the Glacial Periods ''Praeovibus priscus'' lived in the upland together with reindeer (''Rangifer tarandus)'' and other alpine animals. This species also lived in open wooded or savanna-like habitat, however in

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

and

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

it has been found living in moist, temperate forests.Peter C. Lent (1999)
''Muskoxen and Their Hunters: A History''
University of Oklahoma Press.

References

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q54875504, from2=Q30673256 Pleistocene even-toed ungulates Bovidae Prehistoric monotypic mammal genera