Resumen de Megaceroides algericus (Lydekker, 1890), du gisement des Phacochères (Alger, Algérie). Etude critique de la position systématique de Megaceroides
- English
The discovery of about fifteen antlers and some lower jaws of Megaceroides algericus, in the site "les Phacochères", situated on the heights of Algiers (Algeria), has allowed to complete the diagnosis of this Megacerini, which was, untill now, poorly known. The systematic position of Megaceroides Joleaud, is discuted here. The first description of this cervid was made by Lydekker in 1890 on one maxillar discovered in travertins of Hammam el Meskhoutine near Guelma. This situation suggested him the name of Cervus algericus. Lydekker tried to relate the cervid of Algeria to Megaceros using different features : great growth of the cingulum, square and brachyodonte crowns. In 1892, Pomel named this species, Cervus pachygenis, which was described on the basis of the lower jaws. The pomel's descriptions converged on the same conclusions of his predecessor. But the real taxonomic change of this species is due to Joleaud (1914, 1916) who formed a Megaceroides sub-genus. In his classification, Azzaroli has changed the taxonomic position of the algerian Megacerini twice over. First, he has attributed this species to the Megaceros sub-genus and didn't utilized Megaceroides, which is a poorly defined genus. The classification of european species of the verticornis-solilhacus group belonging to the Megaceroides sub-genus, studied by Azzaroli in his revision in 1979, is inappropriate, as the interpretation of the insular mediterranean forms. The characters of Megaceroides algericus are different from those of M . verticornis, M. solilhacus, M. dawkinsi, M. cazioti, M. cretensis, M. algarensis and M. messinae particularly by the lack of a posterior tine, the less broad palmation, the small size of teeth and the pronounced brachyodonty.
- français
La découverte d'une quinzaine de bois et de quelques mandibules de Megaceroides algericus dans le gisement des Phacochères, situé sur les hauteurs d'Alger (Algérie), a permis de compléter la diagnose de ce Megacerini longtemps mal connue. La position systématique de Megaceroides Joleaud, telle qu'elle est admise actuellement, est discutée ici. Il apparaît que la classification des espèces du groupe verticornis-solilhacus ainsi que celle des espèces des îles méditerranéennes dans le sous-genre Megaceroides, est inappropriée.
