Oioceros

Oioceros is an extinct genus of artiodactyl ungulate belonging to the family Bovidae. It existed during the late Miocene epoch, approximately 11.6 to 5.3 million years ago, primarily in Europe and Asia.

Oioceros is characterized by its distinctive, widely diverging horns, which typically display a lyre-shaped or U-shaped configuration. These horns were present in males and likely used for intraspecific competition, such as battling for mating rights. The morphology of the horns varies somewhat between different species within the genus.

Fossil remains of Oioceros have been discovered in various locations across Eurasia, including Greece, Turkey, Iran, and China. These fossils, primarily consisting of cranial and postcranial elements, provide valuable insights into the evolution and paleobiogeography of bovids during the late Miocene.

Oioceros is considered a member of the subfamily Antilopinae, a group of bovids that includes modern gazelles, springbok, and related antelopes. The genus provides evidence of the diversification of this group during the Miocene and highlights the evolution of specialized horn structures within the bovid family. Its extinction, like that of many other large mammals, is thought to be linked to environmental changes and competition with other species during the Pliocene epoch.