Hoplitomerycidae, an example of giantism in insular ruminants

So far, the ruminant genus Hoplitomeryx, endemic to the vast paleoisland called the Apulia Platform, included six species. New specimens from Upper Miocene limestones of Scontrone (Abruzzo, central Italy) allow recognition of still a new species. The remains belong to the largest Hoplitomeryx known to date. Hoplitomerycidae derived from small-sized Oligocene Tragulina ruminants. This new representative is the first giant insular ruminant ever described. Insular giantism was notoriously exhibited by other taxa, such as rodents, but never by artiodactyls. This large Hoplitomeryx was a lightly built animal with long, slender limbs. This case shows not only that insular giantism can be attained also on large islands, but also confirms that it can be promoted by competitive release and immigrant selection.