Merycodus is an extinct genus of the Artiodactyla family Antilocapridae.
Taxonomy
Merycodus has had a confusing taxonomic history. The closely related
Meryceros and
Submeryceros are generally regarded as synonymous with
Merycodus.
One described species known as
Merycodus grandis has now been reclassified as a species of
Prosynthetoceras.
Another former species,
M. furcatus is now placed in
Cosoryx.
Description
Merycodus had relatively short horn shafts with tines of nearly equal size that were about as long as the shaft. Species traditionally included in
Meryceros had horns that were generally larger and more laterally compressed.
