Quantitative histological analysis of dental variability in Anchitherium: insights into growth dynamics and dental development

Calderón, Teresa ; Cuccu, Andrea (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Morales, Jorge ; Azanza, Beatriz (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Miguel, Daniel de (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: The correlation between enamel microstructure and life history has allowed researchers to gather important information on the dental growth and development of both extant and fossil taxa. The approach has been especially developed on primates but also applied to ungulates. Among them, equids have received particular attention, since the enamel microstructure has been examined in several species of hipparionines and Equus. However, this aspect has been completely unexplored in more basal equid taxa. In this work, we analyse the dental microstructure of upper and lower dental elements and calculate for the first time the dental parameters of Anchitherium, a three-toed equid that inhabited the Palaearctic region from the Early to Late Miocene. Results revealed significantly higher secretion rates in the first lower molar and similar extension rates in all the dental elements analysed. In addition, the study of both upper and lower elements in this work seems to indicate that the method of analysing only the lower dentition, as employed in many studies, may not provide the complete framework to make inferences (at least in Anchitherium) and hence, should be taken with caution. Comparing Anchitherium enamel parameters with more derived members of the family Equidae has allowed us to observe a clear correlation between enamel secretion rate and hypsodonty index, which increases over time, coinciding with the acquisition of hypsodont teeth. In parallel, a trend towards a faster pace of growth was identified over time, which could be related to the Miocene environmental changes. The present work deepens our understanding of equid dental development and the evolution of this iconic group of ungulates.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2026.113557

Año: 2026

Publicado en: PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY 686 (2026), 113557 [9 p.]
ISSN: 0031-0182

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/AEI/PID2023-151089NB-I00
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/AEI/PID2024-160207NB-I00
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/E33-23R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/JDC2022-050216-I
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN PRE2021-096969

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Paleontología (Dpto. Ciencias de la Tierra)