Hypisodus
Extinct genus of mammals
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hypisodus is an extinct genus of hoofed mammal belonging to the family Hypertragulidae, within the order Artiodactyla, endemic to North America during the Eocene through Oligocene, living 37.2–26.3 Ma, existing for approximately 10.9 million years.[1]
| Hypisodus Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
| |
| Skeleton of Hypisodus sp., Perot Museum | |
 | |
| Life restoration of H. minimus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | †Hypertragulidae |
| Genus: | †Hypisodus Cope (1873) |
Hypisodus were primitive and ancient ruminants, resembling small deer or musk deer, although they were more closely related to modern chevrotains. Its diet was thought to be that of a frugivore, however it has been noted that its dentition and small body size supports the idea of requiring a highly selective browsing diet resembling other modern small artiodactyls. [2]
Taxonomy
Hypisodus was named by Cope. It was assigned to Hypisodontinae by Matthew and to Hypertragulidae by Cope, Cook and Carroll.[3][4]
Fossil distribution
Partial list of fossil sites:
- 10 N Site, Gallatin County, Montana
- Horsetail Creek, Logan County, Colorado