Hippotherium
Encyclopedia
Hippotherium is an extinct genus
of horse
endemic to North America
, to Asia
, Europe
, and Africa
during the Miocene
through Pliocene
~13.65—3.3 Mya, existing for .
by Kaup 1833. It was named as a subgenus
of Equus
; type European E. gracilis. Its type is Equus primigenius. It was synonymized subjectively with Hipparion
by MacFadden (1998) and Pesquero et al. (2006). It was assigned to the tribe
Hipparionini by Alroy in 2002 and 2008.
It was synonymized subjectively with Cormohipparion
occidentale by MacFadden (1984) and was considered a nomen dubium
by Macdonald (1992).
Body mass
A single specimen was examined by M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist for body mass. (Mendoza et al)
Fossil distribution
and North America. It was named by Leidy (1885). Its type locality is Mixson's Bone Bed, which is in a Hemphillian
terrestrial horizon in the Alachua Formation of Florida.
It was recombined as Hipparion
ingenuum by Spencer (1895), Gidley (1907), Osborn (1918), Hay (1930) and Simpson (1930); it was synonymized subjectively with Hippotherium gratum by Lucas (1896). In 1909 it was recombined as Neohipparion ingenuum by Matthew, recombined as Nannippus
ingenuus by Stirton (1940), Quinn (1955), Forsten (1975) and MacFadden (1984); it was recombined as Cormohipparion ingenuum by Hulbert (1988); it was considered a nomen dubium
by Macdonald (1992).
Body mass
A single specimen was examined by M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist for body mass. (Mendoza et al).
Fossil distribution
It was recombined as Hipparion plicatile by Spencer (1895), Roger (1896), Trouessart (1898), Hay (1902), Gidley (1907), Sellards (1913), Osborn (1918), Matthew (1924), Simpson (1930), Stirton (1940) and Webb and Perrigo (1984); it was recombined as Neohipparion plicatile by Trouessart (1904), Matthew (1909) and Merriam (1913); it was recombined as Cormohipparion plicatile by Hulbert (1988); it was considered a nomen dubium by Macdonald (1992).
Body mass
A single specimen was examined by M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist for body mass. (Mendoza et al).
Fossil distribution
and Africa
. Its range extended from Northern Europe
to South Africa
. It was named by von Meyer. It is the type species of Hippotherium. It was recombined as Hipparion primigenium by Pesquero et al. (2006); it was recombined as Hippotherium primigenium by Kaup (1832) and Alroy (2008).
Fossil distribution
of North America and was named by Woodburne in 1996. Its type locality is Devil's Gulch Horse Quarry, which is in a Barstovian terrestrial horizon in the Valentine Formation of Nebraska. It was recombined as Hippotherium quinni by Alroy (2007).
Body mass
A single specimen was examined by M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist for body mass. (Mendoza et al).
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
endemic to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, to Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
during the Miocene
Miocene
The Miocene is a geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about . The Miocene was named by Sir Charles Lyell. Its name comes from the Greek words and and means "less recent" because it has 18% fewer modern sea invertebrates than the Pliocene. The Miocene follows the Oligocene...
through Pliocene
Pliocene
The Pliocene Epoch is the period in the geologic timescale that extends from 5.332 million to 2.588 million years before present. It is the second and youngest epoch of the Neogene Period in the Cenozoic Era. The Pliocene follows the Miocene Epoch and is followed by the Pleistocene Epoch...
~13.65—3.3 Mya, existing for .
Taxonomy
Hippotherium was named by Kaup in 1832 and assigned to EquidaeEquidae
Equidae is the taxonomic family of horses and related animals, including the extant horses, donkeys, and zebras, and many other species known only from fossils. All extant species are in the genus Equus...
by Kaup 1833. It was named as a subgenus
Subgenus
In biology, a subgenus is a taxonomic rank directly below genus.In zoology, a subgeneric name can be used independently or included in a species name, in parentheses, placed between the generic name and the specific epithet: e.g. the Tiger Cowry of the Indo-Pacific, Cypraea tigris Linnaeus, which...
of Equus
Equus (genus)
Equus is a genus of animals in the family Equidae that includes horses, donkeys, and zebras. Within Equidae, Equus is the only extant genus. Like Equidae more broadly, Equus has numerous extinct species known only from fossils. This article deals primarily with the extant species.The term equine...
; type European E. gracilis. Its type is Equus primigenius. It was synonymized subjectively with Hipparion
Hipparion
Hipparion is an extinct genus of horse living in North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa during the Miocene through Pleistocene ~23 Mya—781,000 years ago, existing for...
by MacFadden (1998) and Pesquero et al. (2006). It was assigned to the tribe
Tribe (biology)
In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...
Hipparionini by Alroy in 2002 and 2008.
It was synonymized subjectively with Cormohipparion
Cormohipparion
The extinct Cormohipparion was originally described as a new genus of horse, and assigned to the tribe Hipparionini. However it was soon argued that the partial material fell within the range of morphological variation seen in Hipparion, and that the members of Cormohipparion belonged instead...
occidentale by MacFadden (1984) and was considered a nomen dubium
Nomen dubium
In zoological nomenclature, a nomen dubium is a scientific name that is of unknown or doubtful application...
by Macdonald (1992).
Body mass
A single specimen was examined by M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist for body mass.- Specimen: 61.5 kg (135.6 lb)
Fossil distribution
- Rattlesnake site, aka (SDSM V-832) Grant County, OregonGrant County, OregonGrant County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is included in the 8 county definition of Eastern Oregon. In 2010, its population was 7,445. It is named for President Ulysses S. Grant, who served as an army officer in the Oregon Territory, and at the time of the county's creation...
estimated age: ~7.8—7.7 Mya.
H. emsliei
M. elatus is exclusive to the Southeastern U.S. It was named Cormohipparion emsliei by Hulbert, Jr. in 1988 and in 2006 by Hulbert and Whitmore in 2007. It became Hippotherium emsliei in 2001 by Alroy (J. Alroy).Body mass
A single specimen was examined by M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist for body mass. (Mendoza et al)
- Specimen: 48.7 kg (107.4 lb)
Fossil distribution
- Mauvilla site aka Ecor Rouge Sand, Mobile County, AlabamaMobile County, AlabamaMobile County[p] is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of a tribe of Indians, the Maubila tribe . As of 2011, its population was 415,704. Its county seat is Mobile, Alabama...
estimated age: ~10 Mya. - Haile XVA aka Haile 15AHaile Quarry siteThe Haile Quarry or Haile sites are an Early Miocene and Pleistocene assemblage of vertebrate fossils located in the Haile quarries, Alachua County, northern Florida. The assemblage was discovered during phosphate mining, which began in the late 1940s. Haile sites are found in the Alachua Formation...
, Alachua County, FloridaAlachua County, FloridaAlachua County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 227,120. Its county seat is Gainesville, Florida. Alachua County is the home of the University of Florida and is also known for its diverse culture, local music, and artisans...
, estimated age: ~3.7—3.6 Mya. - Agrico Pierce Mine, Polk County, FloridaPolk County, FloridaPolk County is located in central Florida between the Tampa Bay and Greater Orlando metropolitan areas. The county was established by the state government in 1861 on the eve of the American Civil War and named after former United States president James K. Polk. The county seat is Bartow and its...
, estimated age: ~10 Mya. - Moss Acres Racetrack, Marion County, FloridaMarion County, FloridaMarion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 316,183. Its county seat is Ocala....
estimated age: ~10.3—4.9 Mya.
H. ingenuum
H. ingenuum is exclusive to Central AmericaCentral America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and North America. It was named by Leidy (1885). Its type locality is Mixson's Bone Bed, which is in a Hemphillian
Hemphillian
The Hemphillian North American Stage on the geologic timescale is the North American faunal stage according to the North American Land Mammal Ages chronology , typically set from 10,300,000 to 4,900,000 years BP, a period of . It is usually considered to overlap the Tortonian epoch of the Late...
terrestrial horizon in the Alachua Formation of Florida.
It was recombined as Hipparion
Hipparion
Hipparion is an extinct genus of horse living in North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa during the Miocene through Pleistocene ~23 Mya—781,000 years ago, existing for...
ingenuum by Spencer (1895), Gidley (1907), Osborn (1918), Hay (1930) and Simpson (1930); it was synonymized subjectively with Hippotherium gratum by Lucas (1896). In 1909 it was recombined as Neohipparion ingenuum by Matthew, recombined as Nannippus
Nannippus
Nannippus is an extinct genus of horse endemic to North America during the Miocene through Pliocene, ~13.3—3.3 Ma, living approximately .Nannippus lived as far south as Central Mexico to as far north as Canada , to California in the west, North Carolina and Florida Nannippus is an extinct genus...
ingenuus by Stirton (1940), Quinn (1955), Forsten (1975) and MacFadden (1984); it was recombined as Cormohipparion ingenuum by Hulbert (1988); it was considered a nomen dubium
Nomen dubium
In zoological nomenclature, a nomen dubium is a scientific name that is of unknown or doubtful application...
by Macdonald (1992).
Body mass
A single specimen was examined by M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist for body mass. (Mendoza et al).
- Specimen: 55.3 kg (121.9 lb)
Fossil distribution
- Las Culebras, Rancho Lobo, and Tepusuna, HondurasHondurasHonduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
, Gracias Formation, estimated age: ~11.6—8.6 Mya. - TMM 31204 aka John Dye Farm, Goliad County, Texas, estimated age: ~11.6—8.6 Mya.
- Occidental Mine, Statenville FormationStatenville FormationThe Statenville Formation is a geological formation of northern Florida, USA.-Age:Period: NeogeneEpoch: MioceneFaunal stage: Chattian through early Blancan ~28.4 to ~2.588 mya, calculates to a period of -Location:...
, Hamilton County, FloridaHamilton County, FloridaHamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 13,327. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 13,983 . Its county seat is Jasper, Florida.- History :...
estimated age: ~11.7 Mya. - Hog Creek Sarasota County, FloridaSarasota County, FloridaSarasota County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2008 estimate for the county was 372,057. Its county seat is Sarasota, Florida....
estimated age: ~11.5—10.1 Mya.
H. plicatile
Hippotherium plicatile is exclusive to the state of Florida in North America. It was named by Leidy (1887). Its type locality is Mixson's Bone Bed, which is in a Hemphillian terrestrial horizon in the Alachua Formation of Florida.It was recombined as Hipparion plicatile by Spencer (1895), Roger (1896), Trouessart (1898), Hay (1902), Gidley (1907), Sellards (1913), Osborn (1918), Matthew (1924), Simpson (1930), Stirton (1940) and Webb and Perrigo (1984); it was recombined as Neohipparion plicatile by Trouessart (1904), Matthew (1909) and Merriam (1913); it was recombined as Cormohipparion plicatile by Hulbert (1988); it was considered a nomen dubium by Macdonald (1992).
Body mass
A single specimen was examined by M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist for body mass. (Mendoza et al).
- Specimen: 80.1 kg (176.6 lb).
Fossil distribution
- Hog Creek Sarasota County, FloridaSarasota County, FloridaSarasota County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2008 estimate for the county was 372,057. Its county seat is Sarasota, Florida....
estimated age: ~11.5—10.1 Mya. - Haile 6A, Haile 5B, Gainesville Creek, Pareners Branch, and Coffrin Creek sites, Alachua County, FloridaAlachua County, FloridaAlachua County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 227,120. Its county seat is Gainesville, Florida. Alachua County is the home of the University of Florida and is also known for its diverse culture, local music, and artisans...
, estimated age: ~11.5—9.3 Mya. - Withlacoochee River Site 4X, Citrus County, FloridaCitrus County, FloridaCitrus County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 118,085. The U.S. Census Bureau 2008 estimate for the county was 141,416 . Its county seat is Inverness, Florida...
estimated age: ~10.3—8.6 Mya.
H. primigenius
E. primigenius is exclusive to EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. Its range extended from Northern Europe
Northern Europe
Northern Europe is the northern part or region of Europe. Northern Europe typically refers to the seven countries in the northern part of the European subcontinent which includes Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Finland and Sweden...
to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It was named by von Meyer. It is the type species of Hippotherium. It was recombined as Hipparion primigenium by Pesquero et al. (2006); it was recombined as Hippotherium primigenium by Kaup (1832) and Alroy (2008).
Fossil distribution
- Doue-la-Fontaine FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
estimated age: ~13.65—7.25 Mya. - Lower Bakhtiari Formation, northern IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, estimated age: ~11.6—9.0 Mya. - Kurtchuk-Tchekmedje, TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
estimated age: ~11.61—5.33 Mya. - Lang. E Quarry-GM aka ETE Locality 1042, Langebaanweg, "E Quarry, GM", South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
H. quinni
Cormohipparion quinni is exclusive to the Great PlainsGreat Plains
The Great Plains are a broad expanse of flat land, much of it covered in prairie, steppe and grassland, which lies west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada. This area covers parts of the U.S...
of North America and was named by Woodburne in 1996. Its type locality is Devil's Gulch Horse Quarry, which is in a Barstovian terrestrial horizon in the Valentine Formation of Nebraska. It was recombined as Hippotherium quinni by Alroy (2007).
Body mass
A single specimen was examined by M. Mendoza, C. M. Janis, and P. Palmqvist for body mass. (Mendoza et al).
- Specimen: 79.9 kg (176.1 lb).
- Kennesaw site, Logan County, ColoradoLogan County, ColoradoLogan County is the 23rd most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for General John A. Logan. The county population was 20,504 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Sterling...
estimated age: ~12.9 Mya. - Devil's Jump Off, Nenzel Quarry, and Sawyer Quarry, and Valentine Railway Quarries, Cherry County, NebraskaCherry County, NebraskaCherry County is unusual in being split between two time zones, Mountain Time and Central Time. The lines between the two runs roughly north to south along the eastern third of the county. Cherry County is also the location of the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, the Fort Niobrara National...
13-12.9 Mya. - Schoettger Quarry, Keya Paha County, NebraskaKeya Paha County, Nebraska-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 983 people, 409 households, and 292 families residing in the county. The population density was 1 people per square mile . There were 548 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile . The racial makeup of the county was 99.39%...
12.9-12.7 Mya.