Leptomeryx Explained

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 . It was a small deer-like ruminant with somewhat slender body.

Fossil distribution

Sites and species recovered:

• Titus Canyon, Inyo County, California (L.blacki) ~30.6—33.9 Ma.
• Anxiety Butte, Saskatchewan, Canada (L. sp., L. evansi) ~38—24.8 Ma.
• Calf Creek, Saskatchewan, Canada, (L. mammifer) ~38—33.3 Ma.
• Toadstool Park, Sioux County, Nebraska (L. speciosus) ~37.2—33.3 Ma.^[1]
• Medicine Pole Hills, Bowman County, North Dakota (L. yoderi) ~38—33.9 Ma.^[2]

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.
• 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.
• 16. 16. 411–451. Clark. John. Population dynamics of Leptomeryx. Fieldiana Geology. 2014-04-20. 1970-03-27.

Notes and References

1. https://paleobiodb.org/classic/checkTaxonInfo?taxon_no=47597 Paleobiology database: Toadstool Park collection
2. https://paleodb.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?action=basicCollectionSearch&collection_list=16991 Paleobiology database: Medicine Pole Hills collection