Hypertragulus is an extinct genus of hypertragulid ruminant endemic to North America. It lived from the Late Eocene to the Middle Miocene, living , existing for approximately .PaleoBiology Database: Hypertragulus
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.
Species H. calcaratus H. chadronensis H. crawfordensis H. dakotensis H. heikeni H. hesperius H. minor H. minutus H. planiceps H. quadratus H. sequens
Fossil distribution
A partial list of fossil sites: Chihuahua, Mexico Cedar Creek Formation (Lower & Middle), Logan County, Colorado Fort Logan Formation, Meagher County, Montana Upper Pomerado Conglomerate Formation, San Diego County, California Turtle Cove Member of the John Day Formation, Grant County, Oregon
Palaeoecology Because its fossils are found predominantly in semiarid palaeosols, it is believed that Hypertragulus hesperius primarily inhabited semiarid biomes.
References