Hypertragulus

Hypertragulus
Temporal range: Eocene–Miocene
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Artiodactyla
Family:†Hypertragulidae
Genus:†Hypertragulus
Cope, 1873
Species
  • H. calcaratus (syn. H. fontanus, H. tricostatus)
  • H. chadronensis
  • H. crawfordensis
  • H. dakotensis
  • H. heikeni
  • H. hesperius
  • H. minor
  • H. minutus
  • H. planiceps
  • H. quadratus
  • H. sequens
Range of Hypertragulus based on fossil record

Hypertragulus is an extinct genus belonging to the family Hypertragulidae, within the order Artiodactyla, endemic to North America during the Eocene to Miocene, living 42 to 20.6 million years ago, existing for approximately 21.4 million years.[1]

Hypertragulus were primitive and ancient ruminants, resembling small deer or musk deer, although they were more closely related to modern chevrotains. Its diet is stated to be that of a frugivore.

Morphology

Restoration of a Leptomeryx pair encountering a group of Hypertragulus

One specimen of Hypertragulus examined for body mass by M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis and P. Palmqvist had a mass of 7.29 kg (16 lb).[2]

Fossil distribution

A partial list of fossil sites:

References

  1. ↑ PaleoBiology Database: Hypertragulus, basic info
  2. ↑ M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis & P. Palmqvist (2006). "Estimating the body mass of extinct ungulates: a study on the use of multiple regression" (PDF). Journal of Zoology. 270 (1): 90–101. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00094.x.


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