A history of research on the cave lion Panthera spelaea (Goldfuss, 1810)

In 1810, G.A. Goldfuss was the first to identify the bones of a cave lion discovered in the Zoolithenhöhle cave (Germany), naming it Felis spelaea. But it was prehistoric man who first described it in numerous parietal and movable representations. Since the beginning of the 19th century, scientific...

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Main Author: Alain Argant
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-09-01
Series:Earth History and Biodiversity
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950475924000042
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author Alain Argant
author_facet Alain Argant
author_sort Alain Argant
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description In 1810, G.A. Goldfuss was the first to identify the bones of a cave lion discovered in the Zoolithenhöhle cave (Germany), naming it Felis spelaea. But it was prehistoric man who first described it in numerous parietal and movable representations. Since the beginning of the 19th century, scientific knowledge of the cave lion Panthera (Leo) spelaea has progressed steadily, establishing its leonine character. Numerous discoveries led to paleontological studies of deposits throughout Eurasia, often in caves and linked to prehistoric sites. In the 20th century, this research benefited from the emergence of new dating methods, the development of palynology and the isotopic biochemistry of collagen. As the species' range became better defined, it expanded to include the whole of Eurasia and even North America. Finally, the 21st century is marked by the development of paleogenetics and the multiplication of synthetic studies, in many countries, while benefiting from a diffusion largely facilitated by Internet exchanges and the use of English. Phylogeny of the Felidae and understanding of the origins of Panthera spelaea are progressing rapidly. Today's knowledge makes it possible to envisage a true paleobiology of this extinct species.
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spelling doaj-art-233b59285fb14a6790e7477ae138cd712025-08-20T01:49:31ZengElsevierEarth History and Biodiversity2950-47592024-09-01110000410.1016/j.hisbio.2024.100004A history of research on the cave lion Panthera spelaea (Goldfuss, 1810)Alain Argant0Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, Minist. Culture, LAMPEA, UMR 7269, MMSH, 5 Rue du Château de l′Horloge, Aix en Provence Cedex 2 BP 647 13094, FranceIn 1810, G.A. Goldfuss was the first to identify the bones of a cave lion discovered in the Zoolithenhöhle cave (Germany), naming it Felis spelaea. But it was prehistoric man who first described it in numerous parietal and movable representations. Since the beginning of the 19th century, scientific knowledge of the cave lion Panthera (Leo) spelaea has progressed steadily, establishing its leonine character. Numerous discoveries led to paleontological studies of deposits throughout Eurasia, often in caves and linked to prehistoric sites. In the 20th century, this research benefited from the emergence of new dating methods, the development of palynology and the isotopic biochemistry of collagen. As the species' range became better defined, it expanded to include the whole of Eurasia and even North America. Finally, the 21st century is marked by the development of paleogenetics and the multiplication of synthetic studies, in many countries, while benefiting from a diffusion largely facilitated by Internet exchanges and the use of English. Phylogeny of the Felidae and understanding of the origins of Panthera spelaea are progressing rapidly. Today's knowledge makes it possible to envisage a true paleobiology of this extinct species.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950475924000042HistoryResearchCave lionPanthera spelaeaG.A. GoldfussPrehistoric artworks
spellingShingle Alain Argant
A history of research on the cave lion Panthera spelaea (Goldfuss, 1810)
Earth History and Biodiversity
History
Research
Cave lion
Panthera spelaea
G.A. Goldfuss
Prehistoric artworks
title A history of research on the cave lion Panthera spelaea (Goldfuss, 1810)
title_full A history of research on the cave lion Panthera spelaea (Goldfuss, 1810)
title_fullStr A history of research on the cave lion Panthera spelaea (Goldfuss, 1810)
title_full_unstemmed A history of research on the cave lion Panthera spelaea (Goldfuss, 1810)
title_short A history of research on the cave lion Panthera spelaea (Goldfuss, 1810)
title_sort history of research on the cave lion panthera spelaea goldfuss 1810
topic History
Research
Cave lion
Panthera spelaea
G.A. Goldfuss
Prehistoric artworks
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950475924000042
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