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Science (New York, N.Y.)2011; 331(6021); 1178-1181; doi: 10.1126/science.1196166

Dietary change and evolution of horses in North America.

Abstract: The evolution of high-crowned molars among horses (Family Equidae) is thought to be an adaptation for abrasive diets associated with the spread of grasslands. The sharpness and relief of the worn cusp apices of teeth (mesowear) are a measure of dietary abrasion. We collected mesowear data for North American Equidae for the past 55.5 million years to test the association of molar height and dietary abrasion. Mesowear trends in horses are reflective of global cooling and associated vegetation changes. There is a strong correlation between mesowear and crown height in horses; however, most horse paleopopulations had highly variable amounts of dietary abrasion, suggesting that selective pressures for crown height may have been weak much of the time. However, instances of higher abrasion were observed in some paleopopulations, suggesting intervals of stronger selection for the evolution of dentitions, including the early Miocene shortly before the first appearance of Equinae, the horse subfamily in which high-crowned dentitions evolved.
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Publication Date: 2011-03-10 PubMed ID: 21385712DOI: 10.1126/science.1196166Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.

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 investigates the link between diet change and the evolution of horses’ molar teeth in North America over 55.5 million years. It uncovers a correlation between molar height, diet abrasion, and global climate shifts, also suggesting certain periods where stronger evolutional pressures existed.

Objective and Methodology

  • The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between the height of molar teeth in horses, their diet and the evolution of these elements over 55.5 million years.
  • The researchers relied on the measurement of ‘mesowear’, or the sharpness and relief of the worn cusp apices of teeth, as a gauge of dietary abrasion.
  • They used mesowear data from North American horses covering this lengthy period to test the association of molar height and dietary abrasion.

Findings

  • The trends identified in horse mesowear appear to mirror global cooling and the corresponding changes in vegetation.
  • There was a strong correlation established between the mesowear and the crown height in horses, indicating a link between diet and the development of teeth.
  • The study however indicated that the dietary abrasion in most horse paleopopulations was highly variable, hinting that the evolutionary pressures causing changes in crown height were weak for extended periods.

Significance

  • The researchers observed higher levels of abrasion in some paleopopulations, implying periods of stronger selection for the evolution of dentitions.
  • These periods can be identified as crucial points in equine evolution, such as the early Miocene, just before the appearance of Equinae – the horse subfamily in which high-crowned dentitions evolved.
  • The findings in this study, by associating dietary change and dental structure, add significantly to our understanding of the behavioural and environmental factors driving evolution.

Cite This Article

APA
Mihlbachler MC, Rivals F, Solounias N, Semprebon GM. (2011). Dietary change and evolution of horses in North America. Science, 331(6021), 1178-1181. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1196166

Publication

Science (New York, N.Y.)
ISSN: 1095-9203
NlmUniqueID: 0404511
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 331
Issue: 6021
Pages: 1178-1181

Researcher Affiliations

Mihlbachler, Matthew C
  • Department of Anatomy, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA. mmihlbac@nyit.edu
Rivals, Florent
    Solounias, Nikos
      Semprebon, Gina M

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Biological Evolution
        • Climate
        • Dentition
        • Diet
        • Equidae / anatomy & histology
        • Equidae / classification
        • Fossils
        • Horses / anatomy & histology
        • Horses / classification
        • Molar / anatomy & histology
        • North America
        • Paleodontology
        • Phylogeny
        • Poaceae
        • Tooth Crown / anatomy & histology
        • Tooth Wear

        Citations

        This article has been cited 54 times.
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