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Query: journal: "Contributions to Zoology"

AuthorsR. Barnett, N. Yamaguchi, B. Shapiro, R. Sabin
TitleAncient DNA analysis indicates the first English lions originated from North Africa
JournalContributions to Zoology
KeywordsPanthera leo; Barbary lion; medieval; Royal Menagerie; Tower of London
AbstractThe Royal Menagerie of England was established at the Tower of London in the 13th Century and served as a home of exotic
animals until it was closed on behalf of the Duke of Wellington in 1835. Two well-preserved lion skulls recovered from the
moat of the Tower of London were recently radiocarbon-dated to AD 1280-1385 and AD 1420-1480, making them the earliest
confi rmed lion remains in the British Isles since the extinction of the Pleistocene cave lion. Using ancient DNA techniques and
cranio-morphometric analysis, we identify the source of these first English lions to lie in North Africa, where no natural lion population remains today.
Document typearticle
Download paperpdf document http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/document/98637