Presenter: Selina Robson
Mentors: Samantha Hopkins and Edward Davis, Geology
Poster: 56
Majors: Geology and Psychology
We report a new occurrence of the rhinocerotid Chilotherium in the Kochkor basin in Kyrgyzstan. While some geologic reports refer to Chilotherium in Kyrgyzstan, no described material exists from the country and all published material has gone missing. Therefore, our new material is important for not only recognizing the occurrence of the genus, but also understanding the evolution, ecology, and dispersion of various fossil taxa including Chilotherium. Few studies have examined the global distribution of Chilotherium. While the taxon is not uncommon, we found that 84% of Chilotherium specimens were found in China. Thus, the Kyrgyz specimens represent an important geographic extension of the taxon, and may clarify the relationship between ecology and species diversity. Our database of Chilotherium occurrences only reports localities above 2,000m elevation. While paleoaltitudes may be different than modern altitudes, recent studies support the construction of both the Himalayan and Tien Shan ranges prior to the late Mio/Pliocene. This indicates that Chilotherium occupied an ecological niche that is different from other rhinos. Of the collected fossils from Kyrgyzstan, Chilotherium is the most abundant taxon. A species level diagnosis of Chilotherium is difficult because the taxonomy is poorly constrained. There are three valid species but close to 20 published species. By mapping occurrences globally, we hope to clarify taxonomic relationships as well as to assign the new Kyrgyz material to a species level.