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 .PaleoBiology Database: Hypisodus, basic info
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. Taxonomy Hypisodus was named by Cope. It was assigned to Hypisodontinae by Matthew and to Hypertragulidae by Cope, Cook and Carroll.W. D. Matthew. 1908. Osteology of Blastomeryx and phylogeny of the American Cervidae. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 24(27):535-562H. J. Cook. 1934. New artiodactyls from the Oligocene and Lower Miocene of Nebraska. American Midland Naturalist 15(2):148–165
Fossil distribution Partial list of fossil sites: 10 N Site, Gallatin County, Montana Horsetail Creek, Logan County, Colorado
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