SOME INFO ON PRONGHORN WHO REALLY HAVE NO CLOSE RELATIVES IN N. AMERICA. TAKEN FROM A MAMMAL TEXTBOOK I HAVE.
Taxonomic History and Nomenclature
• Antilo = antelope; capro = male goat
•Pronghorn are the only surviving genus of the North American ungulate family Antilocapridae.
•Debate remains over whether pronghorn belong in their own family or should be classified in Bovidae or in deer family (Cervidae). Recent genetic study says they are closer to giraffes (Giraffidae) forming a sister group to cervids and bovids.
•Like bovids, pronghorn have horns consisting of a keratinous sheath over a bony core. But unlike bovids whose horn core is permanent, the horn sheath is shed annually and re-grown. Deer antlers don't have sheaths, but the antlers are lost and regrown yearly.
Phylogeny •Antilocaprid ancestors most likely evolved in the Old World and migrated to North American during the Late Oligocene.
•Pronghorn evolved alongside predators such as dire wolves, the short-faced bear, the North American lion, jaguars, hyenas, and cheetahs; pronghorn were most likely prey for these species.
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