Which foot-bone differences separate Old World deer from New World deer?

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The family Cervidae is divided into two groups based on the structure of their foot bones (metapodia). The primary difference lies in the remnants of the second and fifth hand bones:

  • Old World deer (subfamily Cervinae): In these species, the second and fifth hand bones have almost completely disappeared, leaving only proximal, terminal remnants.
  • New World deer (subfamily Capreolinae): In these species, the remnants of the second and fifth hand bones are distal.1