Extinct genus of deer
Croizetoceros is an extinct genus of deer which lived throughout much of Europe, first appearing during the last stages of the Miocene and living until the Early Pleistocene.
Taxonomy.
The type species, "Croizetoceros ramosus" was originally classified as "Cervus ramosus", but was found distinct enough to be placed into its own genus. Many subspecies of "C. ramosus" have been identified throughout Europe, and another species, "C. proramosus", has also been described in 1996.
Description.
"Croizetoceros" was a mid-sized species, similar in size to the living fallow deer. It stood a little over tall and weighed around . "Croizetoceros" was one of the first modern-looking deer. It had complex antlers, with four or even five short branches. They were long and lyre-shaped, with the tines branching off tangentially from the central branch.
"Croizetoceros" was probably a browser. Its teeth were characterized by a high degree of wear, indicating that it fed on abrasive plants.
References.
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