Файл:Hypisodus retallacki anterior.jpgHypisodus retallacki skull; same specimen as in the taxobox but in anterior view showing narrow snout. Cast in University of Colorado Museum, Boulder (39032) of original in University of Wyoming Museum, Laramie (13933) [1]
Hypisodus were primitive and ancient ruminants, resembling small deer or musk deer, although they were more closely related to modern chevrotains. Its diet was thought to be that of a frugivore, however it has been noted that its dentition and small body size supports the idea of requiring a highly selective browsing diet resembling other modern small artiodactyls. [3]
Taxonomy
Hypisodus was named by Cope. It was assigned to Hypisodontinae by Matthew and to Hypertragulidae by Cope, Cook and Carroll.[4][5]
↑W. D. Matthew. 1908. Osteology of Blastomeryx and phylogeny of the American Cervidae. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 24(27):535-562
↑H. J. Cook. 1934. New artiodactyls from the Oligocene and Lower Miocene of Nebraska. American Midland Naturalist 15(2):148–165
