Leptomeryx

Leptomeryx is an extinct genus of ruminant of the family Leptomerycidae, endemic to North America during the Eocene through Oligocene 38–24.8 Mya, existing for approximately 13.2 million years . It was a small deer-like ruminant with somewhat slender body.

Mounted skeleton
L. evansi

Leptomeryx
Temporal range: middle Eocene to Late Oligocene[1]
Skeleton, Paleontology Museum of Zurich
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Leptomerycidae
Subfamily: Leptomerycinae
Genus: Leptomeryx
Leidy, 1853
Type species
Leptomeryx evansi
Species[2]
  • L. blacki
  • L. evansi
  • L. mammifer
  • L. obliquidens
  • L. speciosus
  • L. yoderi

Fossil distribution

Sites and species recovered:

References

  • Webb, S.D., 1998. Hornless ruminants. pp. 463–476 in C.M. Janis, K.M. Scott, and L.L. Jacobs (eds.) Evolution of Tertiary Mammals of North America. Volume 1: Terrestrial Carnivores, Ungulates, and Ungulatelike Mammals. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. ISBN 0-521-35519-2
  • Heaton, T.H. and Emry, R.J., 1996. Leptomerycidae pp. 581–608 in D.R. Prothero and R.J. Emry (eds.) The Terrestrial Eocene-Oligocene Transition in North America. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
  • Clark, John (1970-03-27). "Population dynamics of Leptomeryx". Fieldiana Geology. 16 (16): 411–451. Retrieved 2014-04-20.


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