Proc Biol Sci January 2014 PMID 24225466

Himalayan fossils of the oldest known pantherine establish ancient origin of big cats.

Z Jack Tseng, Xiaoming Wang, Graham J Slater, Gary T Takeuchi, Qiang Li, Juan Liu, Guangpu Xie

Mentions

55
Peak: 4 in May 2020
across 6 sources since Nov 2013

Extended reach

247,865
potential audience

Total likes

901

Video views

174,575

Mentions per month

Nov 2013 – May 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News29 articles
  • X / Twitter9 posts
  • Blogs9 articles
  • Facebook5 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The collective discussions reflect a cautious interest, with some users commenting on the fossil’s significance in understanding the origins of big cats, such as references to the Himalayan fossil establishing an ancient lineage. Others display skepticism or casual curiosity, noting the fossil's relation to snow leopards or questioning the assumptions behind classification. The tone ranges from slightly optimistic about scientific advances to dismissive or non-committal, highlighting the broad spectrum of engagement with this discovery.

AgreementNeither agree nor disagree

The discussions show mixed feelings; some posts support the significance of the discovery, while others express skepticism or disinterest.

InterestModerate interest

Several posts showcase curiosity, mentioning the fossil's relevance and connection to big cat evolution, but some dismiss the topic or are indifferent.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts engage with the scientific concepts by referencing fossil records and evolutionary links, although some are superficial or dismissive.

ImpactModerate impact

The topic is recognized as potentially meaningful for understanding big cat origins, but the discussions indicate varying perceptions of its influence, with some seeing it as a breakthrough, others as unconvincing.

Abstract in brief

  • The discovery of a fossil pantherine from the Tibetan Himalaya, dating to the Late Miocene/Early Pliocene, suggests that Asian origins for big cats are more likely than African, challenging previous beliefs based on fossil rarity and molecular data.
  • The fossil shows traits similar to the snow leopard and is closely related to it, indicating an evolutionary link leading to the largest cats, with divergence events occurring up to 7 million years earlier than previously thought.
  • The findings highlight a strong connection between the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau and the diversification of early big cats, pushing back their evolutionary origins and reshaping understanding of their history.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Alex Richter-Boix
@BoixRichter · X

El fósil más antiguo de Panthera encontrado en el Himalaya y su relación con la pantera de las nieves. https://t.co/KF1z6tx31f

May 3, 2020 · 28 likes · 3 shares · 51,664 followers View post →
Eons
@EonsShow · X

Reference/Image: Tseng, Z. J., Wang, X., Slater, G. J., Takeuchi, G. T., Li, Q., Liu, J., & Xie, G. (2014). Himalayan fossils of the oldest known pantherine establish ancient origin of big cats. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 281(1774), 20132686.

Oct 23, 2020 · 11 likes · 12,872 followers View post →
Harano T
@tharano34 · X

Panthera blytheaeの論文。2014年。 https://t.co/1xskyR3qWA

Sep 5, 2022 · 1 like · 967 followers View post →
Nefertiti
@eramos_pobres · X

RT @BoixRichter: El fósil más antiguo de Panthera encontrado en el Himalaya y su relación con la pantera de las nieves. https://t.co/KF1z6t…

May 3, 2020 · 3 shares · 3,865 followers View post →
Mar Caribens
@maribeacaribens · X

RT @BoixRichter: El fósil más antiguo de Panthera encontrado en el Himalaya y su relación con la pantera de las nieves. https://t.co/KF1z6t…

May 3, 2020 · 3 shares · 2,140 followers View post →
BrendanCarton
@BrendanCarton · X

@vivianharris45 @perfectsweeties What sort of a universe drops murderous little predators on your lap at random? _Not_ a cat person – although anything in the genus Panthera is pretty cool, I admit. This: https://t.co/n71MTOhWl6

Oct 11, 2022 · 1,308 followers View post →

All mentions

sol_pater
@Solfather21 · X

Referensi : Tseng ZJ, Wang X, et., al., “Himalayan Fossils of the Oldest Known Pantherine Establish Ancient Origin of Big Cats” Ji H. Mazak, Per Christiansen, et., al., “Oldest Known Pantherine Skull and Evolution of Tiger”

Jul 28, 2023 · 5 followers View post →
BrendanCarton
@BrendanCarton · X

@vivianharris45 @perfectsweeties What sort of a universe drops murderous little predators on your lap at random? _Not_ a cat person – although anything in the genus Panthera is pretty cool, I admit. This: https://t.co/n71MTOhWl6

Oct 11, 2022 · 1,308 followers View post →
Harano T
@tharano34 · X

Panthera blytheaeの論文。2014年。 https://t.co/1xskyR3qWA

Sep 5, 2022 · 1 like · 967 followers View post →
Faith In Bible And Science
@Faith_In_B_A_S · X

@MrJohns52403217 @scividence @FossilHistory 1. A man-made model of classification. 2. There are plenty of cat-like creatures in the fossil record, so believable they are one kind. This is a secular source, I think though they are wrong with certain assumptions. https://t.co/qq4Pw2gYR9 https://t.co/p2xWDQ0FRl

Oct 25, 2020 · 84 followers View post →
Eons
@EonsShow · X

Reference/Image: Tseng, Z. J., Wang, X., Slater, G. J., Takeuchi, G. T., Li, Q., Liu, J., & Xie, G. (2014). Himalayan fossils of the oldest known pantherine establish ancient origin of big cats. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 281(1774), 20132686.

Oct 23, 2020 · 11 likes · 12,872 followers View post →
Nefertiti
@eramos_pobres · X

RT @BoixRichter: El fósil más antiguo de Panthera encontrado en el Himalaya y su relación con la pantera de las nieves. https://t.co/KF1z6t…

May 3, 2020 · 3 shares · 3,865 followers View post →
Guzmán
@inyguzman · X

RT @BoixRichter: El fósil más antiguo de Panthera encontrado en el Himalaya y su relación con la pantera de las nieves. https://t.co/KF1z6t…

May 3, 2020 · 3 shares · 362 followers View post →
Mar Caribens
@maribeacaribens · X

RT @BoixRichter: El fósil más antiguo de Panthera encontrado en el Himalaya y su relación con la pantera de las nieves. https://t.co/KF1z6t…

May 3, 2020 · 3 shares · 2,140 followers View post →
Alex Richter-Boix
@BoixRichter · X

El fósil más antiguo de Panthera encontrado en el Himalaya y su relación con la pantera de las nieves. https://t.co/KF1z6tx31f

May 3, 2020 · 28 likes · 3 shares · 51,664 followers View post →
Paleogenomics - María Ávila Arcos
@paleogenomics.bsky.social · Bluesky

Himalayan fossils of the oldest known pantherine establish ancient origin of big cats http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/281/1774/20132686.full

Nov 20, 2013 View post →