There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
(07-30-2020, 01:21 AM)Stripedlion2 Wrote: So cave lions are a distinct species but are closest related to the lion today.
Maybe the difference is similar to today's mainland clouded leopard/sunda clouded leopard, chimpanzee/bonobo, eastern/western gorilla.
I've always thought the clouded leopard analogy is perfect when trying to explain the lion clades to others. While genetically distinct enough to be separate species, they both (plus P.atrox, P.youngi, and P. leo? fossilis) come from the same basal lineage and can be considered a close lion clade within the genus Panthera.