Five variables, approximating the size of the masseter muscles on the
maxilla, were used for determining dietary adaptations of extinct bovi
ds from the Miocene of Pikermi and Samos (Greece). Grazing extant rumi
nants were found to have larger masseter muscles; those of browsers ar
e smaller, and mixed feeders show a size in between. The height of the
bony protrusion serving as of the origin of masseter superficialis on
the maxilla gave the best discrimination among browsers, mixed feeder
s, and grazers; the origin of the masseter profundus was less discrimi
natory. It was found that, while some microwear results were congruent
with the masseter data, others were not. We evaluate several hypothes
es to explain the dissociation of dietary interpretation based on thes
e variables and conclude that most of the extinct species were mixed f
eeders. The extinct species Tragoportax amalthea, Tragoportax rugosifr
ons (Boselaphini), and Gazella capricornis (Antilopini) were probably
either mixed feeders or browsers. Pachytragus crassicornis and Pachytr
agus laticeps (Pseudotragini) were probably mixed feeders.