Amphiprox Explained

Amphiprox is an extinct genus of early deer from the Miocene of Europe.[1]

Taxonomy

Amphiprox anocerus was originally placed in the genus Cervus, along with many other early deer. It was related to other primitive deer like Euprox and Heteroprox and together these early forms represent the first major radiation of cervids.

Description

Amphiprox was a small deer, around 25kg (55lb) in weight. It was rather long-legged and had small two-pronged antlers.[2]

Paleoecology

The long legs of Amphiprox indicate that it may have been adapted to more open habitats, and perhaps even mountainous ones. The teeth suggest it was a grazer, or even an omnivore.

Notes and References

  1. Böhme . M. . Large herbivore mammals and crocodiles from the Eppelsheim Formation and their biostratigraphy . PLOS ONE . 2015 . 7 . 5 . 10.1371/journal.pone.0036817.t003. free .
  2. Book: Agustí . Jordi . Antón . Mauricio . Mammoths, Sabertooths, and Hominids: 65 Million Years of Mammalian Evolution in Europe . 2002 . Columbia University Press . 9780231116411 . 159.