Hypertragulus Temporal range: Eocene–Miocene |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Family: | †Hypertragulidae |
Genus: |
†Hypertragulus Cope, 1873 |
Species | |
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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.
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.
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).
A partial list of fossil sites: