Irish elk

The Irish elk (Megaloceros giganteus)[1][2] also called the giant deer or Irish giant deer, is a species of deer in the genus Megaloceros and is one of the largest deer that ever lived. Its range extended across Eurasia during the Pleistocene, from Ireland to Siberia to China. A related form is recorded in China during the Late Pleistocene.[3] The most recent remains of the species have been carbon dated to about 7,700 years ago in Siberia.[4]

Although most skeletons have been found in bogs in Ireland, the animal was not exclusive to Ireland and was not closely related to either of the living species currently called elk: Alces alces (the European elk, known in North America as the moose) or Cervus canadensis (the North American elk or wapiti). For this reason, the name "giant deer" is used in some publications, instead of "Irish elk".[5][6][7][8][9] A study has suggested that the Irish elk was closely related to the Red deer (Cervus elaphus).[10] However, other phylogenetic analyses support a sister-group relationship with fallow deer (Dama dama).[8][11][12]