Implications of age variation and sexual dimorphism in modern equids for Middle Pleistocene equid taxonomy
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 7809697 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Eline N van Asperen (0000-0002-2329-6831, University of York, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2013 |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 1-12 |
| Publication date | 2013-01-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1002/oa.1231 |
| OpenAlex | W2083233032 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 7 |
| References cited | 23 |
Interspecific variation in the equid lineage is limited when compared with other large mammal lineages, while a considerable amount of intraspecific ecomorphological variation occurs. This has led to considerable debate regarding the taxonomic status of palaeontological and archaeological equid remains. The possible confounding impact of sex and age variation on analyses of archaeological equid remains has so far remained untested. This could be especially problematic when it is unknown whether an assemblage contains more than one equid species, breed or hybrid. Here, sex and age variation in modern equid species is examined and compared to variation in Pleistocene equid assemblages from northwest Europe. Sex variation in the longbones of modern equid species was found to be lower than variation over time. Similarly, age variation in dental elements of the same species is predominantly lower than diachronic variation, although caution needs to be taken when an archaeological assemblages consists mostly of elements at a similar wear stage. To assess whether late Middle Pleistocene caballoid horse fossils should be assigned to multiple species or be considered to form a monospecific group, the coefficients of variation for measurements on fossil horse remains were compared with those for modern equid specimens. Results indicate that the fossil assemblages are similarly variable to samples of modern material. Taken as a whole, the late Middle Pleistocene caballoid horse lineage is equally variable to an assemblage of modern ponies of a variety of different breeds. This implies that the variation observed between samples dating from different parts of the Middle Pleistocene can be characterised as intraspecific variation within a single species reflecting ecomorphological adaptations to the changeable Pleistocene climate. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Ancient DNA · Biology · Equidae · Equus · Interspecific competition · Mammal · Pleistocene · Population · Sexual dimorphism · Variation (astronomy · Zoology · Demography · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology · Veterinary Equine Medical Research · Wildlife Ecology and Conservation · Ecology · Paleontology
Upper Pleistocene equids from Terrasses de la Riera dels Canyars (NE Iberian Peninsula)
Position of the Steinheim interglacial sequence within the marine oxygen isotope record based on mammal biostratigraphy
Late Middle Pleistocene horse fossils from northwestern Europe as biostratigraphic indicators
Environment during the Middle to Late Palaeolithic transition in southern France
Middle Pleistocene Variations in the Diet of Equus in the South of France and Its Morphometric Adaptations to Local Environments
Identifying domestic horses, donkeys and hybrids from archaeological deposits
Subsistence strategies in the Late Neolithic and Bronze Age in Nenjiang River Basin
Évolution de la taille des chevaux d’Arcy-sur-Cure et de quelques autres chevaux quaternaires
Size decrease in Late Pleistocene-Holocene caballoid horses (genus Equus), intra-or interspecific evolution? A discussion of alternatives
Geometric morphometrics and the population diversity of Late Glacial horses in Western Europe (Equus caballus arcelini)
Distinguishing between the late Middle Pleistocene interglacials of the British Isles
| Citations per year | 0.5 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2012 - 2023 (12) |
| Highly cited | No |