Hypolagus is an extinct genus of lagomorph, first recorded in the Hemingfordian (early to middle Miocene) of North America. It entered Asia during the early Turolian and spread to Europe not much later, where it survived until the Middle Pleistocene. Though unknown in the Iberian Peninsula, fossils of this genus have been found in the Balearic Islands, suggesting an eastern migration during the dry period in the Mediterranean region known as the Messinian Salinity Crisis.[1]
Hypolagus Temporal range: Early Miocene to Middle Pleistocene
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Hypolagus peregrinus skeleton | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Lagomorpha |
Family: | Leporidae |
Genus: | †Hypolagus Dice, 1917 |
Type species | |
†Hypolagus vetus Kellogg, 1910
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Species | |
See text |
Hypolagus generally shows features intermediate between rabbits and hares. Hypolagus balearicus was the smallest species at 1.3–2.7 kg (2.9–6.0 lb) and showed several peculiar features, such as short elbow-to-humerus ratio and robustness of the ulna.[1]
Many species of Hypolagus have been described, including 12 from North America.[2] Some of these species may be synonymous with others.[3]
North American species
Eurasian species