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Scientific reports2018; 8(1); 8507; doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-26817-3

First Radiological Study of a Complete Dental Ontogeny Sequence of an Extinct Equid: Implications for Equidae Life History and Taphonomy.

Abstract: The sequence of cheek teeth mineralization, eruption, and replacement of an extinct horse species is here documented with radiological techniques for the first time thanks to the exceptional preservation of Hipparion sp. mandibles from Cerro de los Batallones (Madrid Basin, Spain). The sequence of dental ontogeny in mammals provides valuable insights about life history traits, such as the pace of growth, and about the mode of formation of fossiliferous assemblages. We have determined that the order of permanent cheek teeth mineralization and eruption of hipparionine horses is m1, m2, (p2, p3), p4, m3. Cheek teeth mineralization timing of hipparionine horses coincides with the one observed in modern equids. In turn, there are differences in the eruption timing of the p4 and m3 between horses belonging to the Anchitheriinae and Hipparionini compared to equids of the Equus genus that might be related to the shorter durability of the deciduous tooth dp4 in anchitheriine and hipparionine horses and, more broadly, to an increased durability of equid teeth through their evolutionary history. Based on the dental eruption sequence, hipparionine horses are slow-growing, long-living mammals. The Hipparion sp. assemblage from Batallones-10 conforms to an attritional model, as individuals more vulnerable to natural mortality predominate.
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Publication Date: 2018-05-31 PubMed ID: 29855587PubMed Central: PMC5981301DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26817-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research studies the sequence of tooth development in an extinct horse species, Hipparion, using radiological techniques. The study advances knowledge about the pace of growth and formation of fossil assemblages in the equine family.

Study of Dental Ontogeny in Extinct Horse Species

  • The researchers in this study used radiological techniques to examine preserved jawbones (mandibles) of an extinct horse species, Hipparion, found in Cerro de los Batallones (Madrid Basin, Spain).
  • The focus of the research was on cheek teeth (teeth at the back of the mouth used for grinding food) as their development sequence can provide valuable insights about a species’ growth rate and life history traits.
  • This is the first time such a study has been conducted on an extinct equine species.

Key Research Findings

  • The research identified the order of permanent cheek teeth mineralization and eruption (when the tooth emerges from the gum) in Hipparion as m1, m2, (p2, p3), p4, m3.
  • This timeline was found to be similar to that of modern horses (equids).
  • However, differences were noted in the timing of p4 and m3 tooth eruption between Hipparion and modern horses, which could be related to the shorter lifespan of the Hipparion’s deciduous tooth dp4.
  • These differences suggest an increased durability of teeth in the equine family over their evolutionary history.

Implications Regarding Life History and Mortality Patterns

  • Due to the sequential nature of their dental eruption, it was concluded that the Hipparion were slow-growing, long-living mammals, which brings new insights into their life history traits.
  • The amassed Hipparion jawbones from the Batallones-10 site mostly represent individuals who likely fell victim to natural causes, rather than catastrophic events, indicating an attritional model of mortality.

Cite This Article

APA
Domingo MS, Cantero E, García-Real I, Chamorro Sancho MJ, Martín Perea DM, Alberdi MT, Morales J. (2018). First Radiological Study of a Complete Dental Ontogeny Sequence of an Extinct Equid: Implications for Equidae Life History and Taphonomy. Sci Rep, 8(1), 8507. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-26817-3

Publication

Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
NlmUniqueID: 101563288
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 1
Pages: 8507
PII: 8507

Researcher Affiliations

Domingo, M Soledad
  • Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Doñana Biological Station-CSIC, Seville, Spain. soldomingo@gmail.com.
  • Department of Paleontology, Faculty of Geological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain. soldomingo@gmail.com.
Cantero, Enrique
  • Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural Sciences-CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
García-Real, Isabel
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Chamorro Sancho, Manuel J
  • Polyclinics Service. Military Centre of Veterinary. Ministry of Defence, Madrid, Spain.
Martín Perea, David M
  • Department of Paleontology, Faculty of Geological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
  • Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural Sciences-CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
Alberdi, M Teresa
  • Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural Sciences-CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
Morales, Jorge
  • Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural Sciences-CSIC, Madrid, Spain.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Equidae / anatomy & histology
  • Extinction, Biological
  • Fossils / anatomy & histology
  • History, Ancient
  • Life History Traits
  • Radiography
  • Tooth / anatomy & histology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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