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.
Taxonomy[]
Leptomeryx was named by Leidy (1853). Its type is Leptomeryx evansi. It was assigned to Leptomerycinae by Matthew (1908); to Hypertragulidae by Cook (1934); and to Leptomerycidae by Leidy (1853) and then by Carroll (1988).
Morphology[]
Leptomeryx was a small deer-like ruminant with somewhat slender body.
Body mass[]
Four specimens were examined by Legendre and Roth for body mass.[4]
- Specimen 1 weighed an estimated: 7.62 kg (17 lb)
- Specimen 2: 14.7 kg (32 lb)
- Specimen 3: 6.24 kg (14 lb)
- Specimen 4: 5.72 kg (13 lb)