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Journal of anatomy2022; 242(4); 568-591; doi: 10.1111/joa.13799

Truly dorsostable runners: Vertebral mobility in rhinoceroses, tapirs, and horses.

Abstract: The vertebral column is a hallmark of vertebrates; it is the structural basis of their body and the locomotor apparatus in particular. Locomotion of any vertebrate animal in its typical habitat is directly associated with functional adaptations of its vertebrae. This study is the first large-scale analysis of mobility throughout the presacral region of the vertebral column covering a majority of extant odd-toed ungulates from 6 genera and 15 species. In this study, we used a previously developed osteometry-based method to calculate available range of motion. We quantified all three directions of intervertebral mobility: sagittal bending (SB), lateral bending (LB), and axial rotation (AR). The cervical region in perissodactyls was found to be the most mobile region of the presacral vertebral column in LB and SB. Rhinoceroses and tapirs are characterized by the least mobile necks in SB among odd-toed and even-toed ungulates. Equidae are characterized by very mobile necks, especially in LB. The first intrathoracic joint (T1-T2) in Equidae and Tapiridae is characterized by significantly increased mobility in the sagittal plane compared to the typical thoracic joints and is only slightly less mobile than typical cervical joints. The thoracolumbar part of the vertebral column in odd-toed ungulates is very stiff. Perissodactyls are characterized by frequent fusions of vertebrae with each other with complete loss of mobility. The posterior half of the thoracic region in perissodactyls is characterized by especially stiff intervertebral joints in the SB direction. This is probably associated with hindgut fermentation in perissodactyls: the sagittal stiffness of the posterior thoracic region of the vertebral column is able to passively support the hindgut heavily loaded with roughage. Horses are known as a prime example of a dorsostable galloper among mammals. However, based on SB in the lumbosacral part of the backbone, equids appear to be the least dorsostable among extant perissodactyls; the cumulative SB in equids and tapirs is as low as in the largest representatives of artiodactyls, while in Rhinocerotidae it is even lower representing the minimum across all odd-toed and even-toed ungulates. Morphological features of small Paleogene ancestors of rhinoceroses and equids indicate that dorsostability is a derived feature of perissodactyls and evolved convergently in the three extant families.
© 2022 Anatomical Society.
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Publication Date: 2022-12-15 PubMed ID: 36519561PubMed Central: PMC10008283DOI: 10.1111/joa.13799Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 examines the mobility of the vertebral column in various odd-toed ungulate species, such as rhinoceroses, tapirs, and horses, revealing different degrees of movement and stiffness, these aspects being connected with their unique locomotion and bodily function adaptations.

Study Method and Species Covered

  • The researchers embarked on a large-scale analysis of vertebral mobility in odd-toed ungulates, covering six genera and fifteen species. This study represents the first of its kind and substantial breadth.
  • They applied a previously developed osteometry method for calculating the available range of motion in these animals, providing a platform for quantifying their vertebral flexibility.
  • The study covered all three directions of intervertebral mobility: sagittal bending (SB), lateral bending (LB), and axial rotation (AR).

Results: Vertebral Mobility Among Perissodactyls

  • Perissodactyls, of which horses, tapirs, and rhinoceroses are representatives, displayed the greatest mobility for LB and SB in the cervical area (neck region).
  • Among odd-toed and even-toed ungulates, rhinoceroses and tapirs were found to have the least mobile necks in SB, while Equidae (horse family) was identified to have a high degree of neck mobility, particularly for LB.
  • In both horses and tapirs, the first intrathoracic joint (T1-T2) showed noticeably higher mobility in the sagittal plane than the typical thoracic joints.

Results: Vertebral Stiffness and Fusions

  • The thoracolumbar section of the vertebral column – connecting the thoracic and lumbar regions – in odd-toed ungulates was identified to be notably stiff.
  • Perissodactyls frequently exhibited fused vertebrae, leading to a complete loss of mobility between those particular vertebral bodies.
  • Increased stiffness in the posterior half of the thoracic region in perissodactyls was observed, which likely supports the heavy load of the hindgut, helped by hindgut fermentation.

Contrasting Dorsostability

  • While horses were initially highlighted as prime examples of dorsostable gallopers (a term referring to a rigid or stable back region during locomotion), the study showed equids to be the least dorsostable among extant perissodactyls based on SB in the lumbosacral part of the backbone.
  • The cumulative SB in equids and tapirs was found to be as low as in the largest representatives of artiodactyls, while in terms of the Rhinocerotidae family, it was even lower, representing the minimum across all odd-toed and even-toed ungulates.

Morphological Features and Dorsostability

  • The study indicates that dorsostability is a derived feature of perissodactyls, and it has evolved convergently in the three extant families (Equidae, Tapiridae, Rhinocerotidae).
  • Morphological features of small Paleogene ancestors of rhinoceroses and equids suggest this conclusion as their body construction had most likely necessitated such adaptations for adequate locomotion and survival.

Cite This Article

APA
Belyaev RI, Kuznetsov AN, Prilepskaya NE. (2022). Truly dorsostable runners: Vertebral mobility in rhinoceroses, tapirs, and horses. J Anat, 242(4), 568-591. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.13799

Publication

Journal of anatomy
ISSN: 1469-7580
NlmUniqueID: 0137162
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 242
Issue: 4
Pages: 568-591

Researcher Affiliations

Belyaev, Ruslan I
  • A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation.
Kuznetsov, Alexander N
  • A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation.
  • Borissiak Paleontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation.
Prilepskaya, Natalya E
  • A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Spine
  • Perissodactyla
  • Equidae
  • Mammals
  • Locomotion
  • Biomechanical Phenomena

Conflict of Interest Statement

None.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
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