how did it evolve?
Their evolutionary radiation began in Asia in the Miocene
Lion
Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from all Felidae species indicate that their evolutionary radiation began in Asia in the Miocene around to . The "Panthera" lineage is estimated to have genetically diverged from the common ancestor of the Felidae around to .
what is the scientific name for a lion Felis leo
wiki:19680790
Lion [SEP] Evolution
Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from all Felidae species indicate that their evolutionary radiation began in Asia in the Miocene around to . The "Panthera" lineage is estimated to have genetically diverged from the common ancestor of the Felidae around to . The geographic origin of the "Panthera" is most likely northern Central Asia. Results of analyses differ in the phylogenetic relationship of the lion; it was thought to form a sister group with the jaguar ("P. onca") that diverged , but also with the leopard ("P. pardus") that diverged to . Hybridisation between lion and snow leopard ("P.