Maltese Ungulates

(inclusive fossil species)

This order of mammals in not represented in the wild state in the Maltese Islands. Members of the even-toed Ungulates ARTIODACTYLA - cattle [Bos taurus and Bos ?indicus]; sheep [Ovis aries]; pigs [Sus domesticus]; goat [Capra sp.]; and the odd-toed ungulates PERISSODACTYLA - horses [Equus sp.] have been introduced, domesticated and used as stock and food by man. Archeological excavations in neolithic sites in the Maltese Islands have confirmed the presence of goat, sheep, cattle, pig, and horse. The introduction of these animals have had a significant deliterous effect on Maltese ecology from over-grazing. Bones of these species were recovered freely from all the neolithic period with little signs of significant changes, though cattle seemed to be more frequent in the earlier phases. The cattle was remarkable for their large horn and shoulder hump. The Modern breed of Maltese cattle is represented only by a few remaining specimens. Goat and sheep bones were also found in the neolithic remains, in about equal numbers. There appeared to be a large range of sizes, the biggest approximating to the modern Mediterranean sheep. The excavated pig bones [? Sus scorfa] suggest that this was not a large species. The few adult horse bones excavated from the Xemxija Tombs (Malta) compare well in size with those of the Dartmoor pony. These same tombs yielded a few remains of wild deer [Cervus sp.].

While wild deer are not presently natural inhabitants of the Islands, these were recorded to inhabit the Islands from the Pliestocene period, together with other wild ungulates including hippopotami and elephants. The have been also noted in various sites ascribed to the Late Neolithic period. Some antelopes were set free on Comino before the First World War, but these soon died out. In 1975, the Libyan Minister of Agriculture presented specimens of slender horned gazelles [Gazella leptoceros], camels [Camelus dromedarius], and mountain goats to the botanical gardens at San Anton (Malta).

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF REPORTED FOSSIL MALTESE UNGULATA SPECIES

Order: ARTIODACTYLA
Family: HIPPOPOTAMIDAE
The excavations of various palaentologists, particularly those of Dr. A.L. Adams helped by Dr. Falconer, identified various forms of pigmy hippopotamus species - referred to by the species names: H. pentlandi, H. melitensis and H. minutus. These are generally referable to the Early Late Pliestocene and specimens have been dated to circa 110000-130000 years ago. Specimens approximating present size species have also been excavated in association with Cervus remains at Ghar Dalam.

Hippopotamus pentlandi von Meyer
Pentland's Hippopotamus
status: Early Pleistocene (c.120000 years old) extinct form smaller than the present day hippopotamus species.

Hippopotamus melitensis Falconer
Pygmi Hippopotamus
status: Early Pleistocene (c.120000 years old) extinct form still smaller than H. pentandi. Species synonymous to H. minutus.

suborder: RUMINANTIA
Family: CERVIDAE
The Pleistocene deer remains show a variable degree of body size with a suggestion that stunting of the species had occurred. The excavated remains were generally assigned to two variably sized species, but the Pleistocene species belonged to Cervus elaphus sicilae - A Siculo-Maltese Pleistocene deer. Cervus sp. remains were also described from the early and late neolithic phase. These were eventually exterminated by overhunting and loss of habitat.

Cervus elaphus Linnaeus var. siciliae Pohlig
Siculo-Maltese Deer
status: Late Pliestocene (c.18000 years old). The Maltese Pliestocene Deer appeared to have a degree of stunting of the limb bones. Previously referred to as var. barbarus.

Cervus elaphus Linnaeus ? var. barbarus Bennet
European Red Deer; Barbary Stag
status: Late Pliestocene (c.18000 years old). Synonymous to var. siciliae.

? Cervus dama Linnaeus
Fallow Deer
status: Late Pliestocene (c.18000 years old). Probably referred to C. elaphus specimens.

Family: BOVIDAE
Bos sp.
Wild aurochs
status: Late Pliestocene (c.18000 years old). May have persisted until Neolithic times and was subsequently domesticated by man, to survive in modified form to present days. Neolithic form apparently had a hump and large bulky horns. Present Maltese breed (maltese: gendus) in danger of extermination.

Subfamily: CAPRINAE
Capra sp.
Wild Goat
status: Pliestocene. The species depicted on Neolithic reliefs apprarently were similar to the the Ibex [Capra ibex] or the Persian Wild Goat [Capra aegagrus]. Present breed similar to the Theban or Eygptian goat.
 

Order: PERISSODACTYLE
Suborder: HIPPOMORPHA
Family: EQUIDAE
Equus hydruntinus
status: Late Pliestocene (c.18000 years old).

Order: PROBOSCIDAE
Family: ELEPHANTIDAE
Trilophodon angaestiden Curvier
Mastodon
status: Molar cast obtained from the Miocene globigerina limestone from Gozo.

Palaeoloxodon mnaidriensis Adams
Maltese Dwarf Elephant
status: Early Pliestocene (c.125000 years old or more). The largest of this group of dwarf elephant species - shoulder height c.1900 mm.

Palaeoloxodon falconeri Busk
status: Early Pliestocene (c.125000 years old or more). The smallest of the dwarf elephants - shoulder height c.900 mm. Intermediate forms formerly ascribed to P. melitensis Adams.