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Postcranial Functional Morphology of Hyracotherium (Equidae, Perissodactyla) and Locomotion in the Earliest Horses

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Abstract

A nearly complete skeleton of Hyracotherium grangeri is described from the early Wasatchian (early Eocene) of the Clarks Fork Basin in northwestern Wyoming. This specimen includes a virtually complete, well-preserved pre-caudal vertebral column allowing the first thorough investigation of the locomotory abilities of these early Eocene horses. The posterior thorax (T) and lumbus (L) are divided into a facultatively dorsostable region (T15-L3) and an obligately dorsostable region (L3-L7). The facultatively dorsostable region is characterized by robust, cranially-oriented neural spines and well-developed attachment sites for epaxial musculature, whereas the obligately dorsostable region is characterized by embracing zygapophyses and less developed spines and attachment sites. Limb morphology exhibits a mixture of primitive characters and derived features associated with cursoriality. As described by previous authors, limb mobility is restricted at the elbow and ankle due to interlocking humero-radial and tibio-astragalar articulations, respectively. In contrast, the presence of a rounded femoral head and well-developed pelvic and femoral attachment sites for hindlimb adductor muscles suggests a highly mobile hip joint. Limited inversion of the manus and pes may have been possible via differential movement between the proximal and distal carpal elements and at the transverse tarsal joint, respectively. The obligately dorsostable region of the vertebral column likely resisted variably-oriented torque applied by hip musculature, thereby preventing dislocation of the pelvis and lumbus. The facultatively dorsostable region would have facilitated dynamic positioning of the center of mass during rapid acceleration. Brief comparisons with Orohippus and Mesohippus postcrania are used to discuss the selective pressures imposed by changes in body mass and habitat on the postcranial evolution of Paleogene horses.

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Acknowledgments

We thank W. Sanders for guidance during the preparation and initial analysis of UM 115547. We also thank D. Hensley for his assistance during the collection of UM 115547, G. Gunnell for help using the University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology collections, and B. Miljour for preparation of Fig. 1. Discussions with T. Baumiller, A. Rountrey, and K. Smith were helpful in organizing earlier versions of the manuscript. The field season in which UM 115547 was collected was funded by the Petroleum Research Fund of the American Chemical Society (46858-AC8).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geological Sciences and Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Aaron R. Wood & Philip D. Gingerich

  2. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Ryan M. Bebej

  3. Department of Geological Sciences and Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Carly L. Manz

  4. Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Departments of Anthropology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Dana L. Begun

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  1. Aaron R. Wood
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Correspondence to Aaron R. Wood.

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Wood, A.R., Bebej, R.M., Manz, C.L. et al. Postcranial Functional Morphology of Hyracotherium (Equidae, Perissodactyla) and Locomotion in the Earliest Horses. J Mammal Evol 18, 1–32 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10914-010-9145-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10914-010-9145-7

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