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:

• Titus Canyon, Inyo County, California (L.blacki) ~30.6—33.9 Ma.
• UNSM Sx-8 (Orella C), Sioux County, Nebraska (L. elissae) ~33.9—24.8 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.[3]
• Medicine Pole Hills, Bowman County, North Dakota (L. yoderi) ~38—33.9 Ma.[4]

References

1. Webb, 1998, p. 474.
2. Webb, 1998, p.471.
3. Paleobiology database: Toadstool Park collection
4. Paleobiology database: Medicine Pole Hills collection

• 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.