Breakthrough Research Illuminates the Dawn of Large Bovines in Europe
A groundbreaking new study published in PLOS One on June 3, 2026, sheds fresh light on the early history of bovines in ancient Europe. Researchers have identified well-preserved remains of Parabos tigneresi, a buffalo-like species that roamed the continent's grasslands approximately 4.4 million years ago during the Early Pliocene epoch. These animals, reaching weights of nearly 500 kilograms, represent one of the earliest examples of large-bodied bovines in Europe and mark a pivotal stage in the evolutionary lineage leading to modern cattle, bison, and buffalo.
The findings come from the exceptional fossil site of Camp dels Ninots in northeastern Iberia, Spain. Multiple near-complete skeletons from at least 14 individuals allowed scientists to reconstruct the anatomy, size, and likely ecology of these ancient creatures with unprecedented detail. The study, led by Leonardo Sorbelli of the Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science in Germany, in collaboration with colleagues from Spanish and Italian institutions, challenges previous understandings of bovine evolution and highlights Europe's role in the story of these iconic mammals.
The Camp dels Ninots Site and Its Remarkable Preservation
Camp dels Ninots, located near Caldes de Malavella in Catalonia, has long been recognized as a key paleontological locality. The site features a maar lake environment from the Early Pliocene, where volcanic activity created ideal conditions for fossil preservation. The humid, vegetation-rich setting supported a diverse ecosystem, and the waterlogged sediments helped protect delicate bones from decay.
Excavations at the site, supported by the Caldes de Malavella Town Hall and regional Catalan authorities, uncovered the bovine remains alongside other fauna and flora that paint a vivid picture of Pliocene life. The exceptional completeness of the skeletons—far better than typical fragmentary finds—enabled detailed anatomical comparisons with both earlier and later bovids. This level of preservation is rare for fossils of this age and has opened new windows into the biology of early large herbivores.
Anatomy and Ecology of Parabos tigneresi
Parabos tigneresi belonged to a group of five buffalo-like species that inhabited Europe in the Early Pliocene. The largest specimens approached half a ton in body mass, making them substantially larger than contemporary small bovids but still smaller than many living cattle species. Their skeletal features suggest adaptations for a lifestyle in dense, moist vegetation rather than open grasslands typical of later periods.
Researchers note that these animals likely browsed or grazed in forested or wetland margins, consistent with the reconstructed environment at Camp dels Ninots. The increase in body size compared to earlier relatives points to evolutionary pressures from changing climates and vegetation during the Pliocene, a time of gradual cooling and shifts in European landscapes. Such size evolution may have been an early step toward the diversity seen in today's Bovini tribe, which includes bison, buffalo, and domestic cattle.
European Institutions Driving the Research
The study exemplifies the strength of collaborative research across European borders. The Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science in Germany provided key expertise in evolutionary biology and paleontology. Spanish partners from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili and institutions supported by the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca contributed through fieldwork, funding, and analysis. Italian collaborators added comparative perspectives from Mediterranean sites.
Funding came from multiple European sources, including the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany, and regional Catalan grants. This multi-national effort underscores how European higher-education and research networks facilitate large-scale paleontological projects that individual institutions could not undertake alone.
Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash
Implications for Understanding Bovine Evolution
The discovery positions the Early Pliocene as the beginning of the age of large bovines in Europe. While the exact phylogenetic placement of Parabos remains under discussion—whether as early members of the Bovini tribe or late representatives of the related Tragoportacini lineage—the findings refine the timeline of body-size increase and ecological adaptation in the group.
Modern cattle and their wild relatives trace much of their ancestry to Near Eastern domestication events around 10,500 years ago, with subsequent spread across Europe. This new evidence of earlier, larger wild bovines in Europe adds depth to the narrative of how these animals interacted with changing environments long before human influence. It also highlights potential gene flow or replacement dynamics between different bovid lineages across Eurasia.
Connections to Broader European Research Priorities
Paleontological studies like this one align with growing European interest in biodiversity, rewilding, and understanding long-term ecological change. Institutions across the continent are increasingly linking ancient ecosystems to contemporary conservation challenges, such as restoring large-herbivore roles in landscapes once dominated by species like the aurochs.
The Leibniz Institute and its partners continue to lead in integrating fossil data with genomic and ecological modeling. Such work supports EU-level initiatives on biodiversity monitoring and climate resilience, demonstrating how basic research in higher-education settings informs policy and public understanding.
Future Directions and Open Questions
While the Camp dels Ninots material provides a major advance, researchers emphasize that more fossils and genetic data will be needed to clarify Parabos relationships. Ongoing excavations and new analytical techniques, including advanced imaging and isotopic studies, promise further insights into diet, movement patterns, and population dynamics.
European universities and research centers are well positioned to pursue these questions through continued cross-border collaboration. The study’s authors highlight the unique value of well-preserved Pliocene sites for reconstructing pre-human ecosystems, a perspective that resonates with broader academic efforts to model future environmental scenarios.
Why This Matters for European Academia and Beyond
Research of this caliber strengthens Europe’s reputation as a global leader in evolutionary biology and paleontology. It attracts international talent, fosters interdisciplinary training for PhD students and postdocs, and generates high-impact publications that enhance institutional rankings and funding prospects.
For academics and administrators, the project illustrates successful models of multi-institutional grants, public engagement through museum exhibitions, and the translation of deep-time science into accessible narratives. Readers interested in related career paths can explore opportunities in research roles across European universities.
Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash
Looking Ahead: The Legacy of Early European Bovines
The half-ton bovines of the Early Pliocene remind us that Europe’s landscapes have supported large herbivores for millions of years. Their story intersects with themes of adaptation, migration, and environmental response that remain relevant today.
As more data emerge from sites like Camp dels Ninots, the scientific community gains a clearer picture of the deep roots of the animals that later became central to European agriculture and culture. This research not only revises textbooks but also inspires new generations of scholars to investigate the continent’s rich fossil heritage.
