화학공학소재연구정보센터
Science, Vol.283, No.5403, 824-827, 1999
Ancient diets, ecology, and extinction of 5-million-year-old horses from Florida
Six sympatric species of 5-million-year-old (Late Hemphillian) horses from Florida existed during a time of major global change and extinction in terrestrial ecosystems. Traditionally, these horses were interpreted to have fed on abrasive grasses because of their high-crowned teeth. However, carbon isotopic and tooth microwear data indicate that these horses were not ail C-4 grazers but also included mixed feeders and C-3 browsers. The late Hemphillian Florida sister species of the modern genus Equus was principally a browser, unlike the grazing diet of modern equids. Late Hemphillian horse extinctions in Florida involved two grazing and one browsing species.