Dicrocerus
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| Dicrocerus Fossil range: Miocene |
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| Dicrocerus elegans |
Dicrocerus elegans is an extinct species of deer found in central Europe (related species in Asia). It stood 70 cm (2 ft 4 in) tall at the shoulder - the same size as roe deer. Its long skull sported a set of antlers with a thickened base - the first member of cervids to possess them. The antlers were still quite primitive and had no tines; they were worn only by the males.
Like modern deer, Dicrocerus shed its antlers every year. The main stem was shorter in each new set. The same is seen in modern muntjacs.
Dicrocerus probably came from Asia, from the region where true deer have originated and evolved. It inhabited forests in the temperate belt and in Europe it was typical of the Miocene (10-5 million years ago). It died out at the beginning of Pliocene without leaving any descendants.
[edit] References
Benes, Josef. Prehistoric Animals and Plants. Pg. 240. Prague: Artua, 1979.
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