Grades and clades in hornless ruminant evolution: the reality of the Gelocidae and the systematic position ofLophiomeryxandBachitherium

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Abstract
The phylogenetic relationships of hornless ruminants are reassessed in light of consideration of the systematic position of the genera Lophiomeryx (previously assigned to the Gelocidae), and Bachitherium (previously assigned to the Leptomerycidae or Hypertragulidae), and the reality of the Gelocidae as a cladistically valid taxon is questioned. It is concluded that Lophiomeryx should be placed in its own family, the Lophiomeryicidae (along with the genera Cryptomeryx and Iberomeryx, previously assigned to the Tragulidae), and that the family forms the sister group to the Pecora. Bachitherium is also best placed in its own family, the Bachitheriidae, forming the sister group to the Pecora plus the Lophiomeryicidae. The Gelocidae cannot be united by any unique character, and are best considered a polyphyletic assemblage of primitive pecorans, from among which the higher pecoran families may be derived.

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