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Parvitragulus

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Parvitragulus
Temporal range: Eocene
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Hypertragulidae
Genus: Parvitragulus
Lull (1922)
Range of Nanotragulus based on fossil record

Parvitragulus is an extinct genus belonging to the family Hypertragulidae, within the order Artiodactyla, endemic to North America during the Eocene, living 38–33.9 Ma, existing for approximately 4.1 million years.[1]

Parvitragulus were primitive and ancient ruminants, resembling small deer or musk deer, although they were more closely related to modern chevrotains. Its diet is stated to be that of a frugivore.

Taxonomy

Parvitragulus was named by Emry (1978). Its type is Parvitragulus priscus. It was assigned to Hypertragulidae by Emry (1978) and Carroll (1988).[2][3]

Morphology

Body mass

Four specimens were examined by M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist for body mass:[4]

  • 3.26 kg (7.2 lb)
  • 2.16 kg (4.8 lb)

Fossil distribution

Partial list of fossil sites:

References

  1. ^ PaleoBiology Database: Parvitragulus, basic info
  2. ^ R. J. Emry. 1978. Journal of Paleontology 52(5)
  3. ^ R. L. Carroll. 1988. Vertebrate Paleontology and Evolution. W. H. Freeman and Company, New York 1-698
  4. ^ M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist. 2006. Estimating the body mass of extinct ungulates: a study on the use of multiple regression. Journal of Zoology 270(1):90-101