Orea leptia: discovery of a new genus and species with the slenderest metatarsal among ruminants (Giraffidae, Mammalia)

The Siwalik deposits of Pakistan contain a diverse array of ruminants, including several members of the Giraffidae family. We report a sample of postcranial material (13.6 to 11.4 Ma) from the Chinji Formation that merits the designation of a new genus and species: Orea leptia gen. nov. sp. nov. This species exhibits the most gracile metapodials of any ruminant. We restrict the species to the holotype, with other specimens referred to it. The elongated metapodials and the morphology of the atlas suggest that it is another long-necked giraffid. The slender and elongated metapodials are characteristic of the Giraffinae subfamily. Our comparative analysis with several taxa, including specimens from the Chinji Formation and other Giraffidae, indicates that the morphology of Orea leptia gen. nov. sp. nov. is most similar to that of the Giraffinae. Phylogenetic analysis supports this, with the most parsimonious tree placing the new taxon among the Giraffinae, the subfamily of long-necked, long-limbed giraffids. Given its age and location, Orea leptia gen. nov. sp. nov. is likely close to the ancestor of all Giraffinae. Consequently, we propose merging the subfamilies Bohlininae with Giraffinae. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FEEC13ED-D7A5-43EB-887C-4383C3FACE94