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 .

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