Occurrence of the Pliocene Antelope, Ilingoceros, in Nevada

Abstract

Until recently the only known occurrence of the peculiar twisted-horn antelope, Ilingoceros, was that recorded by Dr. J. C. Merriam from the Thousand Creek Pliocene deposits of northwestern Nevada. During the past 30 or more years much interest has been manifested by students of fossil mammals in the paleontological history of the Antilocapridae. The family has come to be recognized as having a unique position in American animal life. Thus, its representation to-day by a single genus, Antilocapra, stands in decided contrast to the great diversity of type which characterized the family in former geologic time. The existence of many different kinds of antelopes in the past is exemplified by the several extinct genera in Pleistocene faunas, but even more so by the unusual and even bizarre creatures of the Pliocene.