The size of the Barbary lion

[BorneanTiger]

(09-25-2018, 06:17 AM)Wolverine Wrote:

(09-08-2018, 08:43 AM)GuateGojira Wrote:  

These sizes are about the same than any other lion population, included Indian and Sub-Saharan lions, although it is among the largest skulls reliable recorded.

Yes, I don't see any reason why Barbary lions should be larger than others. Prey base in Northern Africa was much scarcer than in Sub Saharan Africa, both variety and guantity of large herbivores could not compare with savannas of East and South Africa. In same time Maghreb region has not enough cold climate sufficient to activate Bergman's rule.
For any fact in the nature should be some reasons. If it's assumed that Barbary lion was larger than other subspecies has to explained why it was larger? If there are no reasons for that probably the hyphotesys is wrong.

Barbary lion of course is a symbol. Symbol of Ancient Rome arenas (together with Persian lion) and the epic battles with gladiators. That's why its so important for the West and excite the imagination of the Western people. While Sub-Saharah Africa lions are interesting mainly for zoologists, Barbary and Persian lions are also interesting for the historians, as part of the history of the Western civilization, Persia and India.
Does anybody knows what was the quantity ratio between Barbary lions and Persian lions thrown in the Roman arenas?

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Factors which should be taken into consideration, regarding what made people think that the Barbary lion was the largest, even if it wasn't, are: 

- Size or extent of the mane: Amongst African lions (bearing in mind that Asiatic lions in Mesopotamian art are often depicted with belly-manes), aside from the Cape lion of South Africa, only the Barbary lion naturally had a mane which was so large and extensive that it covered the belly (https://archive.org/stream/mammalsofsov2...4/mode/2up) 

- Abundance of livestock or even humans as prey (https://archive.org/stream/bookoflion191...2/mode/2up): Even if wild prey was scarce in the Atlas region, compared with places like the Serengeti, Barbary lions had a tendency to feed on humans and livestock, as with their surviving relatives today, and consequently: 

- Obesity (https://archive.org/stream/bookoflion191...0/mode/2up): It was asserted that Barbary lions could get "very fat" by feeding on mutton, and consequently: 

- Physique (http://carnivoractionplans1.free.fr/wildcats.pdf): Aside from the great mane and fat belly (depending on what it ate), it was stated to have a deep chest. Another aspect that I'm looking at is how muscled their limbs were Reply