PBDB Taxon

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Morphology	Ecology and taphonomy	External Literature Search	Age range and collections

Bootherium bombifrons

Mammalia - Bovidae

Taxonomy

Bos bombifrons was named by Harlan (1825).

It was recombined as Ovibos bombifrons by Hay (1902); it was recombined as Bootherium bombifrons by Leidy (1852), Osgood (1905), Hay (1914), Peterson (1926), Frick (1937), Kurten and Anderson (1980), Kirkland et al. (1997), Albright et al. (2019).

Synonyms

Ovibos maximus was named by Richardson (1854).

It was synonymized subjectively with Ovibos cavifrons by Hay (1902).
Bos pallasii was named by De Kay (1828).

It was synonymized subjectively with Ovibos cavifrons by Hay (1902).
Bison appalachicolus was named by Rhoads (1895). Its type specimen is ANSP 29 and is a 3D body fossil.

It was recombined as Ovibos appalachicolus by Rhaods (1897), Hay (1902), Hay (1923), Frick (1937); it was recombined as Bootherium appalachicolus by Ray (1966); it was synonymized subjectively with Symbos cavifrons by Kurten and Anderson (1980), Nelson and Madsen (1987); it was synonymized subjectively with Bootherium bombifrons by McDonald and Ray (1989), Skwara and Walker (1989).
Bootherium brazosis was named by Hesse (1942). Its type specimen is TAMC 2553 and is a 3D body fossil.

It was synonymized subjectively with Symbos cavifrons by Kurten and Anderson (1980), Nelson and Madsen (1987); it was synonymized subjectively with Bootherium bombifrons by McDonald and Ray (1989), Skwara and Walker (1989).
Bootherium nivicolens was named by Hay (1915). Its type specimen is USNM 2324 and is a 3D body fossil.

It was synonymized subjectively with Symbos cavifrons by Kurten and Anderson (1980), Nelson and Madsen (1987); it was synonymized subjectively with Bootherium bombifrons by McDonald and Ray (1989), Skwara and Walker (1989).
Bootherium sargenti was named by Gidley (1908). Its type specimen is GRPM 114233101, a partial skull (e upper portion of a skull, supporting the complete horn-cores), and it is a 3D body fossil.

It was synonymized subjectively with Symbos cavifrons by Kurten and Anderson (1980), Nelson and Madsen (1987); it was synonymized subjectively with Bootherium bombifrons by McDonald and Ray (1989), Skwara and Walker (1989).
Liops zuniensis was named by Gidley (1906). Its type specimen is USNM 5100, a partial skull (top and back portion of skull), and it is a 3D body fossil.

It was recombined as Gidleya zuniensis by Cossmann (1907); it was recombined as Ovibos zuniensis by Frick (1937); it was synonymized subjectively with Symbos cavifrons by Kurten and Anderson (1980), Nelson and Madsen (1987); it was synonymized subjectively with Bootherium bombifrons by McDonald and Ray (1989), Skwara and Walker (1989).
Ovibos cavifrons was named by Leidy (1852).

It was recombined as Bootherium cavifrons by Leidy (1852); it was recombined as Scaphoceros cavifrons by Osgood (1905); it was recombined as Symbos cavifrons by Hay (1912), Allen (1913), Hay (1914), Hay (1930), Barbour (1931), Frick (1937), Wilson (1967), Kurten and Anderson (1980), Nelson and Madsen (1987); it was synonymized subjectively with Bootherium bombifrons by McDonald and Ray (1989), Skwara and Walker (1989), Hills and Wilson (2003).
Ovibos giganteus was named by Frick (1937).

It was synonymized subjectively with Symbos cavifrons by Kurten and Anderson (1980), Nelson and Madsen (1987); it was synonymized subjectively with Bootherium bombifrons by McDonald and Ray (1989), Skwara and Walker (1989).
Scaphoceros tyrelli was named by Osgood (1905) [genus preoccupied in any case].

It was recombined as Symbos tyrelli by Osgood (1905), Gidley (1908), Gilmore (1908), Gilmore (1908), Hay (1914), Frick (1937); it was synonymized subjectively with Symbos cavifrons by Kurten and Anderson (1980), Nelson and Madsen (1987); it was synonymized subjectively with Bootherium bombifrons by McDonald and Ray (1989), Skwara and Walker (1989).
Symbos australis was named by Brown (1908).

It was synonymized subjectively with Symbos cavifrons by Kurten and Anderson (1980), Nelson and Madsen (1987); it was synonymized subjectively with Bootherium bombifrons by McDonald and Ray (1989), Skwara and Walker (1989).
Symbos convexifrons was named by Barbour (1934) [originally numbered NSM 1-2-34]. Its type specimen is U.N.S.M. No. 39001 and is not a trace fossil. Its type locality is North Prong Quarry, which is in a Pleistocene channel sandstone in Nebraska.

It was synonymized subjectively with Symbos cavifrons by Frick (1937), Jakway (1961), Kurten and Anderson (1980), Nelson and Madsen (1987); it was synonymized subjectively with Bootherium bombifrons by McDonald and Ray (1989), Skwara and Walker (1989).
Symbos promptus was named by Hay (1920) [also said to be 1920]. Its type specimen is USNM 9120, a tooth (An upper left third molar), and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Afton, which is in a Pleistocene terrestrial horizon in Oklahoma.

It was synonymized subjectively with Symbos cavifrons by Frick (1937), Kurten and Anderson (1980), Nelson and Madsen (1987); it was synonymized subjectively with Bootherium bombifrons by McDonald and Ray (1989), Skwara and Walker (1989).

Synonymy list

Year	Name and author
1825	Bos bombifrons Harlan
1828	Bos pallasii De Kay
1852	Bootherium bombifrons Leidy
1852	Bootherium cavifrons Leidy
1852	Ovibos cavifrons Leidy
1854	Ovibos maximus Richardson
1895	Bison appalachicolus Rhoads
1897	Ovibos appalachicolus Rhaods
1902	Ovibos appalachicolus Hay p. 687
1902	Ovibos bombifrons Hay p. 687
1902	Ovibos cavifrons Hay p. 687
1905	Bootherium bombifrons Osgood
1905	Scaphoceros cavifrons Osgood
1905	Scaphoceros tyrelli Osgood
1905	Symbos tyrelli Osgood
1906	Liops zuniensis Gidley p. 166 figs. 1 - 3
1907	Gidleya zuniensis Cossmann
1908	Symbos australis Brown
1908	Symbos tyrelli Gidley
1908	Bootherium sargenti Gidley p. 683
1908	Symbos tyrelli Gilmore
1912	Symbos cavifrons Hay
1913	Symbos cavifrons Allen
1914	Bootherium bombifrons Hay
1914	Symbos cavifrons Hay
1914	Symbos tyrelli Hay
1915	Bootherium nivicolens Hay p. 523
1915	Bootherium sargenti Hay p. 525
1920	Symbos promptus Hay p. 125 figs. Plate 6, figs. 9-10; plate S, figs. 1-6.
1923	Ovibos appalachicolus Hay
1926	Bootherium bombifrons Peterson
1930	Symbos cavifrons Hay
1931	Symbos cavifrons Barbour
1934	Symbos convexifrons Barbour
1937	Bootherium bombifrons Frick
1937	Ovibos appalachicolus Frick
1937	Ovibos giganteus Frick
1937	Ovibos zuniensis Frick
1937	Symbos cavifrons Frick
1937	Symbos tyrelli Frick
1942	Bootherium brazosis Hesse
1966	Bootherium appalachicolus Ray
1967	Bootherium sargenti Wilson p. 221
1967	Symbos cavifrons Wilson p. 221
1980	Symbos cavifrons Kurten and Anderson p. 332
1980	Bootherium bombifrons Kurten and Anderson p. 334
1987	Symbos cavifrons Nelson and Madsen, Jr. p. 242
1997	Bootherium bombifrons Kirkland, Jr. et al. p. 114
2019	Bootherium bombifrons Albright et al. p. 189

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Rank	Name	Author
kingdom	Animalia	()
—	Bilateria
—	Eubilateria	Ax 1987
—	Deuterostomia
phylum	Chordata	Haeckel 1874
subphylum	Vertebrata
superclass	Gnathostomata
—	Eugnathostomata
—	Teleostomi	(Bonaparte 1836)
subclass	Sarcopterygii	()
subclass	Dipnotetrapodomorpha	(Nelson 2006)
subclass	Tetrapodomorpha	()
—	Tetrapoda
—	Reptiliomorpha
—	Anthracosauria
subclass	Amphibiosauria	Kuhn 1967
—	Cotylosauria	()
—	Amniota
subclass	Synapsida
—	Therapsida	()
infraorder	Cynodontia	()
—	Mammaliamorpha
—	Mammaliaformes

Rank	Name	Author
class	Mammalia
—	Cladotheria
—	Zatheria
subclass	Tribosphenida	()
subclass	Theria
—	Eutheria	()
—	Placentalia
—	Boreoeutheria
—	Laurasiatheria
—	Scrotifera
—	Euungulata
—	Artiodactylamorpha
—	Artiodactyla	()
—	Ruminantiamorpha
—	Ruminantia	(Scopoli 1777)
—	Pecora	()
superfamily	Bovoidea
family	Bovidae
subfamily	Antilopinae	Gray 1821
tribe	Caprini	()
genus	Bootherium	Harlan 1825
species	bombifrons	(Harlan 1825)

If no rank is listed, the taxon is considered an unranked clade in modern classifications. Ranks may be repeated or presented in the wrong order because authors working on different parts of the classification may disagree about how to rank taxa.

†Bootherium bombifrons Harlan 1825

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Invalid names: Bison appalachicolus Rhoads 1895 [synonym], Bootherium brazosis Hesse 1942 [synonym], Bootherium nivicolens Hay 1915 [synonym], Bootherium sargenti Gidley 1908 [synonym], Liops zuniensis Gidley 1906 [synonym], Ovibos cavifrons Leidy 1852 [synonym], Ovibos giganteus Frick 1937 [synonym], Scaphoceros tyrelli Osgood 1905 [synonym], Symbos australis Brown 1908 [synonym], Symbos convexifrons Barbour 1934 [synonym], Symbos promptus Hay 1920 [synonym]

Diagnosis

Reference	Diagnosis
J. W. Gidley 1908 (Bootherium sargenti)	Size about two-thirds that of Ovibos moschatus, somewhat larger than B. bombifrons; horn-cores comparatively large, well rounded, long and slender; horn-cores at base horizontally directed at right angles to the skull as in Plate LIX, fig. a, but curving downward and forward in graceful semi-spirals, ending in slender anteriorly directed tips (see Plate LIX, fig. b) ; orbits comparatirnly large, depressed below the arching frontals , with thin gently shelving borders, not tubular as in Ovibos. In the general form and contour of the skull and horn-cores this species, together with B. bombifrons,is strikingly different from other knovm species of the Ovibovinae
O. P. Hay 1915 (Bootherium nivicolens)	A Pleistocene species of Boötherium which has the exostoses of the horn-cores slightly encroaching on the forehead; horn cores directed strongly outward, only slightly downward and forward.
O. P. Hay 1920 (Symbos promptus)	Upper molars with the external styles less strongly developed than in S. cavifrons; the fossettes less angular.

Measurements

No measurements are available

Composition:

phosphaticsubp

Environment:

terrestrialo

Locomotion:

actively mobilep

Life habit:

ground dwellingf

Diet:

grazerf

Diet 2:

browserf

Reproduction:

viviparousf

Created:

2005-06-08 10:11:09

Modified:

2005-09-22 12:01:17

Source: f = family, o = order, subp = subphylum, p = phylum

References: Carroll 1988, Nowak 1999, Nowak 1991, Kiessling 2004

Age range: base of the Irvingtonian to the top of the Late/Upper Pleistocene or 1.40000 to 0.01170 Ma

Collections (38 total)

Time interval	Ma	Country or state	Original ID and collection number
Early/Lower Pleistocene	2.58 - 0.774	USA (South Carolina)	Bootherium bombifrons (80031)
Pleistocene	2.58 - 0.0117	USA (North Carolina)	Bootherium bombifrons (108817 108818 108819 108820)
Pleistocene	2.58 - 0.0117	USA (South Carolina)	Bootherium bombifrons (77590 207002)
Pleistocene	2.58 - 0.0117	USA (Virginia)	Symbos sp. (107899)
Pleistocene	2.58 - 0.0117	USA (Indiana)	Symbos cavifrons (83062)
Pleistocene	2.58 - 0.0117	USA (Idaho)	Symbos cavifrons (93331)
Pleistocene	2.58 - 0.0117	USA (New Jersey)	Bootherium bombifrons (108816)
Irvingtonian	1.4 - 0.21	Canada (Saskatchewan)	Bootherium bombifrons (20135)
Irvingtonian	1.4 - 0.21	USA (Idaho)	Symbos cavifrons (20160)
Irvingtonian	1.4 - 0.21	USA (Nebraska)	Bootherium bombifrons (20347)
Irvingtonian	1.4 - 0.21	USA (Arkansas)	Symbos australis (20290)
Middle Pleistocene	0.774 - 0.129	USA (Nebraska)	Symbos cavifrons (83061) Symbos convexifrons (34382)
Late/Upper Pleistocene	0.129 - 0.0117	USA (Michigan)	Bootherium sargenti (63617) Symbos cavifrons (200645 200646 200647)
Late/Upper Pleistocene (late glacial)	0.129 - 0.0117	USA (Oklahoma)	Bootherium bombifrons (93178)
Late/Upper Pleistocene	0.129 - 0.0117	USA (Illinois)	Symbos cavifrons (164624) Symbos promptus (93486)
Late/Upper Pleistocene	0.129 - 0.0117	USA (Louisiana)	Symbos cavifrons (83063)
Late/Upper Pleistocene	0.129 - 0.0117	USA (Oklahoma)	Symbos promptus (216271)
Late/Upper Pleistocene (interglacial)	0.129 - 0.0117	USA (Idaho)	Bootherium bombifrons (20569)
Late/Upper Pleistocene (late glacial)	0.129 - 0.0117	USA (Alaska)	Symbos cavifrons (93555)
Late/Upper Pleistocene	0.129 - 0.0117	Canada (Yukon)	Symbos cavifrons (73692)
Late/Upper Pleistocene	0.129 - 0.0117	USA (Utah)	Symbos cavifrons (93330)
Late/Upper Pleistocene (early glacial)	0.129 - 0.0117	Canada (Alberta)	Bootherium bombifrons (93727)
Late/Upper Pleistocene	0.129 - 0.0117	USA (Virginia)	Symbos cavifrons (103358 104697)
Late/Upper Pleistocene	0.129 - 0.0117	USA (South Carolina)	Bootherium bombifrons (206989)
Late/Upper Pleistocene	0.129 - 0.0117	Canada (Saskatchewan)	Symbos cavifrons (20590)
Late/Upper Pleistocene (late glacial)	0.129 - 0.0117	USA (Wyoming)	Bootherium bombifrons (93181)
Late/Upper Pleistocene	0.129 - 0.0117	USA (West Virginia)	Bootherium bombifrons (93332)
Late/Upper Pleistocene - Holocene	0.129 - 0.0	USA (Utah)	Symbos cavifrons (93326)