Bootherium bombifrons

Helm musk ox ( SymbOS cavifrons )

• Alaska
• East central United States

The helmet - musk ox ( SymbOS = Bootherium cavifrons ) was a Bovidae Type the Pleistocene of North America and was related to the musk ox (Ovibos moschatus ). SymbOS cavifrons is now held by most scientists to be the only species of the genus SymbOS. Bootherium bombifrons or Bootherium Sargenti, which were originally described as a distinct species, are now usually as a female of SymbOS cavifrons.

Dissemination

The helmet - musk ox existed from the early to the latest Pleistocene in North America. His remains were found from Alaska in the north to the Mississippi River in the south. The east-west extent of their range extended from the Pacific to the Atlantic. However, most findings are from Beringia and the east central United States. The helmet - musk ox died about 10,000 years ago in the wake of the great extinction at the end of the Pleistocene.

Appearance

Basically, the helmet - musk ox resembled a modern-day musk oxen (Ovibos moschatus ), however, was significantly taller and slimmer than this. An important distinguishing feature of fossils is the rougher surface between the horn cores at SymbOS, which is also higher on the skull than in Ovibos start.

Way of life

Helm musk oxen were adapted to warmer conditions than musk oxen. They probably lived in both steppe and forest areas. They were probably mainly grazers, but are likely to have fed like musk oxen and many of today's waldbewohnende Bovidae partly of leaves.