Abstract:  Fossil gazelles have been widely distributed in Eurasia and Africa during the late Neogene. They are key elements of “Hipparion” faunas with prominent biochronologic and ecological significance. However, no pre-Baodean age gazelle previously reported from China. We describe here in detail materials found from the Bahe Formation, Shaanxi Province, which include by far the most complete skulls and postcranials. The first fossil gazelle skeleton is mounted based on the new findings. Morphology and measurements show the similarity with Gazella lydekkeri from Dhok Pathan Formation of middle Siwaliks, different from the most common species G. gaudryi, G. paotehensis, and G. dorcadoides from Baodean age and other gazelles from Europe.Ecomorphology and measurements of long bones indicate the Lantian species, Gazella cf. G.lydekkeri, is possibly a fast runner, adapted to an open environment in Bahean age. The open environment was also suggested by faunal composition, sedimentological analysis and isotope data.

摘要： Gazella羚羊是“三趾马动物群”中常见成员，在晚中新世至更新世地层中广泛分布，演化速率相对较快，具有重要的生物地层学及生态指示意义，但在我国尚未有保德期之前的化石报道。本文研究的化石发现于陕西蓝田灞河组中部，磁性地层学资料显示其年代为晚中新世灞河期。化石标本包括了5个近乎完整的头骨、下颌以及颅后骨骼。根据发现的标本装架起第一个完整的Gazella羚羊骨架。形态对比与测量数据表明，蓝田标本与巴基斯坦西瓦里克发现的Gazella lydekkeri非常相近，而不同于欧洲晚中新世常见的Gazella各种以及我国发现的种类。从肢骨的形态分析与测量比例数据来看，Gazella cf. G. lydekkeri适合快速奔跑运动，可能生活在相对开阔的环境中，与灞河期动物群的生态类型以及与灞河组沉积学、同位素地球化学等研究所指示的相对干旱、半干旱的开阔草原环境相一致。