Late Wisconsinan helmeted muskoxen ( Bootherium bombifrons ) from southwestern Alberta, Canada

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
• Main Authors: Hills, L.V., Tolman, Shayne, McNeil, P., Kooyman, B.
• Other Authors: Sues, Hans
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 2014
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Canada; muskox
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjes-2013-0078; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/full-xml/10.1139/cjes-2013-0078; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/cjes-2013-0078

The first known occurrence of helmeted muskox in the Late Wisconsinan (ca. 16 000–11 000 radiocarbon years BP) of Alberta is recorded and described. 14 C dating places the specimen at 10 980 ± 80 radiocarbon years BP (uncorrected). The distribution of the species is mapped, the widespread distribution implying that these animals probably occupied diverse habitats. Evidence from Wally’s Beach, including associated fauna and floral remains and eolian deposits, indicates a dry windswept steppe–grassland with intermittent patches of low woody shrubs.