Horse: Evolution and domestication of the horse, micro-evolutionary consequences, related species, inter-species hybrids

Question 1

Give the order of equine evolution, ending in the modern horse

Answer 1

1. Eohippus
2. Mesohippus
3. Merychippus
4. Pliohippus
5. Modern equus

Question 2

Give the most important evolutionary changes seen in the horse

Answer 2

1. Size increase
2. Toe reduction
3. Diet change (Omnivore → Herbivore)
4. Change in dentition

Question 3

Horse-related subspecies example

Answer 3

Donkey/African Ass

Question 4

Donkey/African ass gender names

Answer 4

• Male: “Jack”
• Female: “Jenny”

Question 5

Stallion x Female ass =

Answer 5

Hinny/Jennet

infertile

Question 6

Zebra mule names

Answer 6

• Zorses
• Zonkeys

Question 7

Domestication of the horse originated with which wild ancestor?

Answer 7

Tarpan (Equus ferus ferus)

shown by mtDNA

Question 8

When were horses first domesticated?

Answer 8

5000-6000 years ago

Question 9

Name the feral horses

Answer 9

• Mustang (America)
• Brumby (Australia)

Question 10

Name the only wild horse species

Answer 10

Przewalski’s horse (Central Asia)

Equus ferus Przewalski

Question 11

Number of chromosomes in Eq

Answer 11

64

Question 12

Number of chromosomes in Asinus

Answer 12

62

Question 13

Equine chromosome characteristics

Answer 13

• Chromosome fusions (Hybrid genes)
• Mutations & selection (Allowing size variety)

Question 14

List the members of the Equidae family

Answer 14

1. Equus ferus Boddaert
2. Equus ferus przewalski
3. Equus ferus ferus
4. Equus caballus