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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / A Primitive Trait in Two Breeds of Equus Caballus Revealed b...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2019; 9(6); doi: 10.3390/ani9060355

A Primitive Trait in Two Breeds of Equus Caballus Revealed by Comparative Anatomy of the Distal Limb.

Abstract: The 55-million-year history of equine phylogeny has been well-documented from the skeletal record; however, this is less true for the soft tissue structures that are now vestigial in modern horse. A recent study reported that two ligamentous structures resembling functional interosseous muscle II and IV were evident in Dutch Konik horses. The current study investigates this finding and compares it to members of the genus Equus to identify either a breed anomaly or functional primitive trait. Distal limbs (n = 574) were dissected from four species of Equus; E. caballus, E. asinus, E. przewalskii and E. quagga boehmi. E. caballus is represented by 18 breeds of horse, including the primitive Dutch Konik'. The interosseous muscle II and IV were evident in all four species, but only two breeds of E. caballus expressed this trait-the Dutch Konik and Bosnian Mountain Horse. These two breeds were the only close descendants of the extinct Equus ferus ferus (Tarpan) represented in this study. In conclusion, the interosseous muscle II and IV originated from the distal nodule of metacarpal II and IV, respectively, and inserted into the corresponding branches of interosseous muscle III proximal to the sesamoids. This suggests a functional role in medial and lateral joint stability and a primitive trait in modern equids.
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Publication Date: 2019-06-14 PubMed ID: 31197123PubMed Central: PMC6617308DOI: 10.3390/ani9060355Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The research article examines a structural anomaly found in the Dutch Konik and Bosnian Mountain Horse breeds that could represent a primitive trait from the evolutionary history of horses. The focus is on the presence and role of the interosseous muscle II and IV in these horse breeds and four related species.

Context of the Study

  • The study is based on the premise that while the 55-million-year evolutionary history of horses (equines) is well-documented from skeletal records, the soft tissue structures that have become vestigial in modern horses have been less explored.
  • Recently, two ligamentous structures resembling functional interosseous muscle II and IV were identified in Dutch Konik horses, prompting further investigation.

Methodology and Data Collection

  • For this study, distal limbs (the lower part of appendages) from four species of the equus genus and 18 breeds of horses were dissected to investigate the presence of interosseous muscles II and IV.
  • The horse breeds included the Dutch Konik and the Bosnian Mountain Horse, which are close descendants of the extinct Tarpan species.

Major Findings

  • The interosseous muscle II and IV were found in all four species examined in the study, but only in two horse breeds – the Dutch Konik and Bosnian Mountain Horse.
  • These two horse breeds were the only ones to exhibit this trait among the ones that are closely related to the extinct Tarpan species studied.

Conclusions of the Study

  • The interosseous muscle II and IV were found to originate from the distal nodule of metacarpal II and IV, respectively, and inserted into the branches of the interosseous muscle III, proximal to the sesamoids (bones embedded in tendons).
  • The presence of these muscles in the two horse breeds suggests they play a role in enhancing stability of the medial and lateral joints.
  • The study concludes that the presence of interosseous muscle II and IV in Dutch Konik and Bosnian Mountain Horse breeds may represent a primitive trait from their evolutionary past.

Cite This Article

APA
May-Davis S, Vermeulen Z, Brown WY. (2019). A Primitive Trait in Two Breeds of Equus Caballus Revealed by Comparative Anatomy of the Distal Limb. Animals (Basel), 9(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9060355

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 6

Researcher Affiliations

May-Davis, Sharon
  • Canine and Equine Research Group, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia. maydavis@bigpond.com.
Vermeulen, Zefanja
  • Equine Studies, 41157 LN Asch, The Netherlands. info@equinestudies.nl.
Brown, Wendy Y
  • Canine and Equine Research Group, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia. wbrown@une.edu.au.

Grant Funding

  • 171219-000533 / Australian Government

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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