Biology:Protohippus

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Short description: Extinct genus of mammals

Protohippus
Temporal range: Clarendonian-Hemphillian
~13.6–5.3 Ma
Protohippus simus.jpg
Protohippus simus skeleton
Scientific classification e
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: Equidae
Subfamily: Equinae
Tribe: Equini
Genus: Protohippus
Leidy, 1858[1][2]
Type species
Equus (Protohippus) perditus
Leidy, 1858

Protohippus is an extinct three-toed genus of horse.[3] It was roughly the size of a modern donkey. Fossil evidence suggests that it lived during the Late Miocene (Clarendonian to Hemphillian), from about 13.6 Ma to 5.3 Ma.[4]

Analysis of Protohippus' skull and teeth suggests that it is most closely related to the genus Calippus.[4]

Species include:

  • P. vetus
  • P. perditus
  • P. supremus (also P. simus)
  • P. gidleyi

See also

References

Wikidata ☰ Q3408120 entry