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Home / Equine Research Bank / Integr Zool / A first comparison of bone histomorphometry in extant domest...
Integrative zoology2020; 15(6); 448-460; doi: 10.1111/1749-4877.12444

A first comparison of bone histomorphometry in extant domestic horses (Equus caballus) and a Pleistocene Indian wild horse (Equus namadicus).

Abstract: The microstructural features of the tissue of long bones subjected to different biomechanical stresses could be a helpful tool for a better understanding of locomotor behavior in extant and extinct mammals, including equids. However, few researches have attempted to describe the bone tissue of extinct horses. In our study, we analyze and compare the histomorphometric features of the bone tissue in extant modern horses, Equus caballus, and Equus namadicus, a Pleistocene Indian extinct wild horse. The number, position, and size of the osteons and Haversian canals of the bone tissue, classifiable as dense Haversian tissue, were considered for the comparison. The results obtained highlight some differences between the analyzed species, E. caballus having fewer and bigger osteons than E. namadicus. The microstructural differences may depend on the different lifestyles and environmental conditions characterizing the two species. The results obtained suggest that comparing the biomechanical properties of extinct and modern horse species may provide indirect information on their paleoenvironment.
© 2020 International Society of Zoological Sciences, Institute of Zoology/Chinese Academy of Sciences and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2020-06-18 PubMed ID: 32297705DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12444Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research studies the microstructural features of bone tissue in the modern domestic horse (Equus caballus) and the extinct Pleistocene Indian wild horse (Equus namadicus) to better understand their locomotor behavior and provide insights into their differing lifestyles and environments.

Objective of the Research

  • The study aimed to analyze and compare the bone tissue structures of a modern extant domestic horse (Equus caballus) and an extinct Pleistocene Indian wild horse (Equus namadicus). It was postulated that the microstructural features of long bones, subjected to different biomechanical stresses, could aid in understanding the locomotor behavior of both current and extinct mammals, particularly horses.

Methodology

  • The researchers studied the number, position, and size of the osteons and Haversian canals in the bone tissue of both types of horses. These bone tissues are classified as dense Haversian tissue, a type of tissue found in many mature mammals.

Findings

  • The study found that Equus caballus had fewer but larger osteons compared to Equus namadicus, suggesting microstructural differences between the two species.
  • Based on these differences, it was inferred that differences in lifestyle and environmental factors could be responsible. The bones of animals evolve over time to adapt to their specific living conditions and lifestyle, such as the terrain they traverse, their speed of movement, and the frequency of their locomotion. Therefore, variations in bone tissue can provide valuable information about the natural history of an organism.

Implications

  • The findings of this research suggest that the biomechanical properties from the comparison of extinct and current horse species could yield indirect information about their paleoenvironment. This implies that bone histomorphometry could be a promising tool to delve further into the study of the life and habitats of extinct species.

Cite This Article

APA
Zedda M, Sathe V, Chakraborty P, Palombo MR, Farina V. (2020). A first comparison of bone histomorphometry in extant domestic horses (Equus caballus) and a Pleistocene Indian wild horse (Equus namadicus). Integr Zool, 15(6), 448-460. https://doi.org/10.1111/1749-4877.12444

Publication

Integrative zoology
ISSN: 1749-4877
NlmUniqueID: 101492420
Country: Australia
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 6
Pages: 448-460

Researcher Affiliations

Zedda, Marco
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Italy.
Sathe, Vijay
  • Department of AIHC & Archaeology, Deccan College Postgraduate and Research Institute, Pune, India.
Chakraborty, Prateek
  • Department of AIHC & Archaeology, Deccan College Postgraduate and Research Institute, Pune, India.
Palombo, Maria Rita
  • CNR-IGAG, c/o Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University, Roma, Italy.
Farina, Vittorio
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Bone and Bones / anatomy & histology
  • Fossils / anatomy & histology
  • Haversian System / anatomy & histology
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Species Specificity

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
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