New data on the large brown bear (Ursus arctos L., 1758, Ursidae, Carnivora, Mammalia) from the pleistocene of Yakutia

Abstract

New finds of the fossil brown bear (Ursus arctos L., 1758) remains from the territory of Yakutia have been investigated: skulls and mandibular bones. The new finds are of exceptionally large sizes, most of their measurements far exceed those of not only the modern brown bear from Yakutia, but also the maximum values of the largest representatives of modern subspecies from Eurasia, U. a. beringianus and U. a. piscator. Analysis of various data indicates that the giant brown bear existed in the north of Yakutia during the Karginian interstadial of the Late Pleistocene.

Ancient DNA of the Don-Hares Assumes the Existence of Two Distinct Mitochondrial Clades in Northeast Asia

“… 1 Specimens Yn-3/16 and MM-F29 were found in the same Yunyugen paleontological site. 2 This carcass was found at the same location where the skull of a sable ( Martes zibellina ) was previously found and dated >45,000 BP (Gra-62462) [ 27 ]. …”

“…The Don-hare carcass (museum number: GM-7133) was found on the Ogorokha River at the same location where the skull of a sable was previously recovered and dated >45,000 BP (Gra-62462) [ 27 ]. Nevertheless, the preservation of its skull and its weak mineralization indicates that it belongs to the Karginian interstadial of the second half of the late Pleistocene, which began 60–65 Kya years ago.…”