Procervulus dichotomus

Overview

Procervulus dichotomus is an early deer without an antler burr. Elongated pedicles and small, forked structures are compared. Skulls and tooth wear reveal growth together with changes in the antlers.^[1]

Key facts

The two skulls in the study represent different stages of maturity. An early adult is described with an antler-shedding scar, while the individual with more worn teeth retains an attached antler. Viewing the two specimens side by side allows comparison of different antler states.^[1]

Time and place

It is known from research on Miocene deer. The Miocene spanned approximately 23–5.3 million years ago. Species-specific skulls and antlers provide evidence about growth structures in ancient deer.^[1][3]

The time range describes source context, not the complete duration of this species.

Size, form and skeleton

The pedicles are described as lying above the orbital roofs and continuing into small, two-branched structures. The species is treated as an early deer without antler burrs. Across the two skulls, pedicle length, shedding scars, and attached antlers can be examined together.^[1]

In Procervulus dichotomus specimen BSPG 1979XV555, the upper second molar is 13.92 mm long and 15.43 mm wide at the front. A single molar approximately 1.4 cm long offers a small clue to the animal’s size.^[4]

Habitat and reproduction

How do deer antlers change with growth? The researchers compared pedicles in an early adult with lightly worn teeth and an individual with greater wear. Teeth and cranial appendages provide different clues to growth.^[1]

Fossil discovery

The publisher’s summary of a 1995 study introduces the first description of the skull of the Rauscheröd skeleton and its identification as this species. A study of the antler cycle published online in 2020 compared two skulls at different maturity stages. Head description led to questions about growth and shedding.^[2][1]

References

1. Study of the antler cycle — Two skulls of Procervulus
2. Rössner (1995) — Study of tooth and head anatomy in Procervulus
3. International Commission on Stratigraphy (2024) — Geological time chart
4. Nishioka & Tomida (2023), Taxonomic Revision of Lower Miocene Pecorans (Mammalia, Artiodactyla) from Japan, with a New Fossil Record of Stem Cervidae
5. Natural History Museum — The appearance and life of the giant deer

Research questions

What different information is conveyed by an attached antler and a shedding scar? Considering pedicles together with tooth wear allows comparison of specimens at different maturity stages. Other growth clues are added to the form of one region.^[1]

Observation

Move your gaze from the long pedicles above the eye sockets to the small branching structures. Considering tooth wear alongside different antler states connects head form with questions about growth.^[1]