Eucladoceros montenegrensis n. sp and other Cervidae from the Lower Pleistocene of Trlica (Montenegro)

Abstract

The fossil remains of cervids from Trlica in Montenegro are described and assigned to the elk or moose Alces cf. carnutorum, the roe deer ? Capreolus sp., the red deer Cervus elaphus, and Eucladoceros. The new species Eucladoceros montenegrensis n. sp. is named on the basis of 169 bones and teeth. The Early and early Middle Pleistocene was a time with a great diversity in giant deer. Their features are discussed, where possible described by morphometrics, and compared to the material from Trlica. On this basis the new species Eucladoceros montenegrensis is named. At present, the oldest well dated record of a red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Europe is from 936 to 990 ka. Various ages have been proposed for Trlica, both younger and older than the Jaramillo Subchron. The age of the locality is discussed.