Topic summary
Pecoran
Extracted from the Wikipedia article Pecora.
Evolutionary history
The antelopes, giraffids, and pronghorns likely evolved in an open environment; while the cervids, including the caribou, evolved in a woodland habitat. The type of gallop in Pecorans is shown to be closely related to their environment and anatomy; light Pecoran species use both flexed and extended suspensions in their fast gallops. The white-tail and mule-deer have been observed to primarily use the extended suspension, since in this phase of gallop they leap over bushes and logs in their brush environment. However, heavy Pecoran species do not use extended suspension as most have backs that slope downward with shorter hind legs.