Fossil muskoxen of Ohio

Abstract

Two species of muskoxen have been found as fossils in Ohio's Pleistocene deposits, the extinct Symbos cavifrons and the extant Ovibos moschatus. Symbos currently is represented by six specimens, and Ovibos, by two; all specimens are brain-cases. One of the Ovibos was found in Hamilton County, Ohio, in Wisconsinan gravels associated with the Miami Sublobe of the Huron Lobe; this new record is the southernmost for the genus. All records of Symbos in Ohio are Late Pleistocene, suggesting that the genus expanded into the region shortly after deglaciation. Both records of Ovibos from the state are associated with the glacial margin.