Palaeotragus

Palaeotragus ("ancient goat") is a genus of very large, primitive, okapi-like giraffids from the Miocene to Early Pleistocene of Africa and Eurasia.

Palaeotragus primaevus is the older species, being found in early to mid-Miocene strata, while P. germaini is found in Late Miocene strata. P. primaevus is distinguished from P. germaini by the lack of ossicones. It was also the smaller species, being a little under 2 m at the shoulders. P. germaini had a pair of ossicones, and in life, it would have resembled either a short-necked, 3 m tall giraffe, or a gargantuan okapi.

Palaeotragus inexspectatus from the Early Pleistocene of Greece represents the youngest giraffid in Europe.

Species


The genus consists of the following species:


 * Palaeotragus decipiens
 * Palaeotragus germaini
 * Palaeotragus microdon
 * Palaeotragus primaevus
 * Palaeotragus quadricornis
 * Palaeotragus. rouenii