Asiatic lion known as "Indian lion" and "Persian lion". Following Meyer's first description of an Asiatic lion skin from Persia, other naturalists and zoologists also described lion specimens from other parts of Asia that used to be considered synonyms of "P. l. persica": In 2017, the Asiatic lion was subsumed to "P. l. leo" due to close morphological and molecular genetic similarities with Barbary lion specimens. Fossil remains of "Panthera spelaea" excavated in the Cromer Stage indicate that it represented a genetically isolated and highly distinct lineage. Fossil lion remains were found in Pleistocene deposits in West Bengal. A fossil carnassial excavated
Apex predator example, reduction in the population of sperm whales, apex predators with a fractional trophic level of 4.7, by hunting has caused an increase in the population of large squid, trophic level over 4 (carnivores that eat other carnivores). This effect, called mesopredator release, occurs in terrestrial and marine ecosystems; for instance, in North America, the ranges of all apex carnivores have contracted whereas those of 60% of mesopredators have grown in the past two centuries. Because apex predators have powerful effects on other predators, on herbivores, and on plants, they can be important in nature conservation. Humans have hunted many