The diagrams delineates the evolution of equine species through the period of 40 million years, represented by prehistoric and modern horses with particular emphasis on its foot structure.
The diagrams delineates the evolution of equine species through the period of 40 million years, represented by prehistoric and modern horses with particular emphasis on its foot structure. 7LX32
The diagrams delineates the evolution of equine species through the period of 40 million years, represented by prehistoric and modern horses with particular emphasis on its foot structure.
Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that all four species share common trait of being quadrupedal, equine species have increased in size with more hair on the tail and mane, and have toes to a single hoof on each foot.
Eohippus, which existed circa 40 million years ago, was the ancestor of the horse. It was much smaller, standing at about one-fourth the size of a modern horse. All four legs were comparatively short, with a relatively small torso and its tail was barely observable. About 10 million and 15 million years later, the Eohippus became the Mesohippus and Mecrychippus, which started to have elongated tails and rudimentary form of the mane, whereas there wasn’t any increase in their overall stature. The modern horse is taller, with lengthier limbs, a more defined tail, and a clearer mane on the neck.
On each paw of Eohippus, there were distinctively four toes. At around 30 million years ago, the foot had lost one toe, and the middle toe had enlarged to create a symmetrical structure. After 15 million years, the foot still had three toes, but the middle one was greater in size and protruded more to the front. Finally, the horse today has all the toes reduced just to a single hoof.
The diagrams
delineates
the evolution of equine species through the period of 40
million
years, represented by prehistoric and modern
horses
with particular emphasis on its foot structure.
Looking from an
overall
perspective, it is
readily
apparent that all four species share common trait of being quadrupedal, equine species have increased in size with more hair on the
tail
and mane, and have toes to a single hoof on each foot.
Eohippus
, which existed circa 40
million
years ago, was the ancestor of the
horse
. It was much smaller, standing at about one-fourth the size of a modern
horse
. All four legs were
comparatively
short, with a
relatively
small
torso and its
tail
was
barely
observable. About 10
million
and 15
million
years later, the
Eohippus
became the
Mesohippus
and
Mecrychippus
, which
started
to have elongated
tails
and rudimentary form of the mane, whereas there wasn’t any increase in their
overall
stature. The modern
horse
is taller, with lengthier limbs, a more defined
tail
, and a clearer mane on the neck.
On each paw of
Eohippus
, there were
distinctively
four toes. At around 30
million
years ago, the foot had lost one toe, and the middle toe had enlarged to create a symmetrical structure. After 15
million
years, the foot
still
had three toes,
but
the middle one was
greater in size
and protruded more to the front.
Finally
, the
horse
today
has all the toes
reduced
just
to a single hoof.