megalocerine

Megalocerine refers to a subfamily of large extinct deer, Megaloceros. This group is best known for including the extinct Irish elk, Megaloceros giganteus, which sported the largest antlers of any known deer species, spanning up to 3.65 meters (12 feet) from tip to tip. The megalocerines were widespread across Eurasia and North Africa during the Pleistocene epoch. Their fossil record indicates a diet primarily consisting of grasses, and their massive antlers are thought to have played a role in sexual selection, possibly used for combat between males or as displays to attract females. The exact evolutionary relationships of Megaloceros within the deer family Cervidae are still debated, but they are generally considered to be a distinct lineage. The extinction of the megalocerines is often attributed to a combination of factors, including climate change that altered their habitat and food sources, and possibly overhunting by humans. The dramatic decline and eventual disappearance of these impressive animals have made them a subject of considerable scientific interest and popular fascination.