Ramoceros

Ramoceros is an extinct genus of the artiodactyl family Antilocapridae endemic to Miocene and Pliocene North America.

Relatives and characteristics

Ramoceros was a prehistoric relative of modern pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), which is a species of artiodactyl mammal indigenous to interior western and central North America; modern pronghorn are the second-fastest mammal in the world. The modern pronghorn weighs about 35 to 70 kilograms (77 to 154 lb), whereas the smaller Ramoceros generally weighed 10 to 20 kilograms (22 to 44 lb).

Ramoceros is one of several genera that originated from the subfamily Merycodontinae, of which the pronghorn is the only surviving remnant. In fact, pronghorn is the only surviving remnant of the entire family Antilocapridae.

The long forked horns of Ramoceros may have been used by rival males in competition. Like other antilocaprids, Ramoceros regrew their horns every year, forming new horns growing on bony centers. For that reason, many scientists believe they are more closely related to deer than to cattle.