Evolution

Question 1

Definition of the Evolution theory

Answer 1

• “Evolution is the change in the characteristics of a species over several generations and relies on the process of natural selection”

Question 2

Who formulated the evolution theory, where and when

Answer 2

Charles Darwin, 1859, in his book “on the origin of species”

Question 3

what is natural selection?

Answer 3

• Individuals in a population are naturally variable, meaning that they are all different in some ways
• This variation means that some individuals have traits better suited to the environment than others
• Individuals with adaptive traits (traits that give them some advantage) are more likely to survive and reproduce
• These individuals then pass the adaptive traits on to their offspring
• Over time, these advantageous traits become more and more common in the population
• Through this process of natural selection, favorable traits are transmitted through generations

Question 4

what does the evolutionary tree of the horse look like

Answer 4

bushy, with many species overlapping in time, multiple and frequent extinctions

Question 5

evolution from horse names

Answer 5

Eohippus
Mesohippus
Merychippus
Pliohippus
Equus

Question 6

Eohippus

Answer 6

50 million years ago

Question 7

mesohippus

Answer 7

35 million years ago

Question 8

merychippus

Answer 8

10 million years ago

Question 9

pliohippus

Answer 9

5 million years ago

Question 10

equus

Answer 10

at present

Question 11

four trends in the evolution from eohippus to equus

Answer 11

• reduction in the number of toes
• increase in size of the cheek teeth
• lenghtening of the face
• increase in body size

Question 12

why did the number of toes reduce

Answer 12

• Open, arid grasslands required longer travel distances and elongated limbs decreased the energetic cost of locomotion by increasing stride length
• Monodactyl foot were, respectively, better suited to stability and speed in straight lines on hard ground
• Evolutionary increases in body mass produced greater bending forces on the limbs, and a single digit resist bending forces better than several smaller digits of the same size

Question 13

orthogenesis

Answer 13

straight line development, not in the evolution of the horse!!

Question 14

general relevance of evolution for todays management

Answer 14

• Limb development (fusion bones & elongation, development of hooves, passive stay apparatus)
• Body size
• Larger brain for sensory sensitivity

Question 15

anatomical relevance of evolution for todays management (5)

Answer 15

• Dentition
• Monogastric – cecal digestive system (allows to eat and run, saliva production, no gallbladder)
• Vision (protection of eyes)
• Cardiovascular function at high speed (flight animal)
• Spleen with extra red blood cells

Question 16

ethological relevance of evolution in todays management

Answer 16

• Solitaire  social animal/herd animal
• Increased learning
• Development of detailed communication