A NEW COLLECTION OF GIRAFFOKERYX PUNJABIENSIS (GIRAFFIDAE, RUMINANTIA, ARTIODACTYLA) FROM THE LEHRI OUTCROPS, JHELUM, NORTHERN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Some new remains of Giraffokeryx punjabiensis in the Lehri outcrops (Chinji Formation, Lower Siwaliks) of the district Jhelum, northern Pakistan is identified and compared in this paper. The recovered dental material includes the lower dentition and preserves enough to elaborate the taxonomic characteristics. The molars exhibit straight-line conids, narrow crowned, fine enamel sculpture and weak stylids/median ribs. The morphological and metrical characters of the specimens are described and their systematic determination is discussed in here. Giraffokeryx punjabiensis is known only from the Middle Miocene sediments of the Siwaliks and Greco-Iranian province. The presence of G. punjabiensis in the Lehri outcrops advocates that the sediments date to Middle Miocene.