Fossil Vertebrates

Only Merycoidodon gracilis is currently described on this page, but Mesohippus will be added sometime in the future.

The skull of Oreodon gracilis is shown below in three photos.  Oreodon gracilis is an extinct vertebrate.  This specimen was found in Oligocene strata.  The anterior portion of the temporal is narrow, and it is much narrower than a similar species, Oreodon culbertsonii. Oreodon gracilis has close-set selenodont molars and premolars, and they show little wear in this specimen. The width of the cranium over the zygomatic arches is about 50.97 mm; however, the skull has been deformed. The lateral views show that the occipital condyles can be seen directly below the supraoccipital crest and wings, although the wings have apparently been broken off this specimen. 

Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Suborder: Ruminantia
Infraorder: Tylopoda
Family: Oreodontidae (Merycoidodontidae)
Genus: Oreodon
Species: gracilis

Links to additional information

Joseph Leidy: Father of American Paleontology

Joseph Leidy: Merycoidodon culbertsonii