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Brachylagus coloradoensis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Brachylagus coloradoensis
Temporal range: Early - Mid Pleistocene
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Leporidae
Genus: Brachylagus
Species:
B. coloradoensis
Binomial name
Brachylagus coloradoensis
(Ramos, 1999)[1]

Brachylagus coloradoensis is an extinct species of lagomorph closely related to the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). Its fossils have been found in Early and Middle Pleistocene deposits in Colorado.[2]

Description

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Brachylagus coloradoensis was slightly larger than the living pygmy rabbit. Its enamel patterns show intermediate characteristics between the pygmy rabbit and the extinct genus Hypolagus, which suggests that Brachylagus evolved from the latter.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Brachylagus coloradoensis". Fossilworks.
  2. ^ Ramos, Colleen N. (1999). "AN IRVINGTONIAN SPECIES OF BRACHYLAGUS (MAMMALIA: LAGOMORPHA) FROM PORCUPINE CAVE, PARK COUNTY, COLORADO". The Great Basin Naturalist. 59 (2): 151–159.
  3. ^ Oliver, George V. (2004). "Status of the Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) in Utah". Utah.gov.