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Home , Antilocapridae, Cervus, Equus (genus), Hoof, Merychippus, Mesohippus

Order Perissodactyla

Characteristics: • Odd-toed with hoof () = , rhinos, • Weight distributed on central digits 2, 3, 4 • 1 toe per = horses • 3 toes per foot = tapirs, rhinos • 1st digit absent • Enlarged colon with microorganisms for digestion of cellulose

Family Tapiridae – tapirs • Semi-aquatic, tropical forest • Oriental & South American rivers • Proboscis-like nose similar to elephant • Front feet = 4 toes; hind feet = 3 toes

Family Rhinocerotidae – rhinos • Arose in , later extinct • Africa & Asia – plains/savanna; also IndoChina = forest • -like growth made of hair () – poaching & • Hypsodont molars resembling greek symbol pi (π)

Family – horses • Arose in North America, later extinct, Spanish return with horses • Early horses spread into Africa ( & asses), Asia and Europe • Evolution o No horses, , , or , , • Hyracotherium also ancestor of rhinos & tapirs

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Equus caballus () • Incisors and hypsodont teeth • Single hoof (toe), vestigial side splints • Long, narrow nasal bones

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Order Artiodactyla

Characteristics: • Even-toed with ungulates = , , antelope, etc…) • Trend = 2 toes or 4 toes, or 2 toes with dew hooves • Paraxonic feet = division of 3rd & 4th toe along symmetrical plane • 1st toe absent, 2nd and 5th toes absent or reduced • Astragalus double pulley (ankle bone) – restricts lateral movement • Cannon bone (allows greater jumping ability)

right front feet of a (Sus), hippo (), (), and (Camelus)

cannon bones

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Advancements: • stomach (multi-chambered) • Horns, antlers • Selenodont molars

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heads and antler types of representative cervids: clockwise from lower left – Père David’s deer (Elaphurus), (Alces), caribou (Rangifer), white-tailed deer (), Chinese (Hydropotes), and pudu (Pudu). Skull is of a (Cervus)

heads, horn shapes, and sizes of selected bovids: A – antelope (), B – (Oreotragus), C – Grant’s (Gazella); D – (), E – (Alcelaphus), (Connochaetes), G – (Addax); and H – (Oryx)

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Family Tayassuidae – or javelinas • Arid regions of SW • Bunodont teeth

Family – 4 toes (pigs)

Sus scrofa () • Omnivores • Exotic from the Old World • Habitat destruction • Long & low skull with high occipital region • Bunodont teeth • Ever-growing canines

Family – 2 toes () • Asia & Africa • , llama, , vicuna of South America

Family – 2 toes (antelopes)

Antilocapra ( antelope) • plains of North America • sheds outer horn covering annually, branched horn • horns on both sexes • large white

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Family Cervidae – (deer) – only males have antlers, except caribou

Odocoileus virginianus (white-tailed deer) • one main antler beam with minor branching • shallow lacrimal pit • range expansion • human-deer conflicts • most popular big game in U.S. • science-based management?

Odocoileus hemionus ( deer) • western U.S. • black tip on • large, mule-like ears (2/3 to ¾ length of head) • antlers branch into 2 equal parts • deep lacrimal pit (~23 mm deep)

Cervus elaphus (elk) • Rocky Mts. Although once widespread into the plains • Large yellowish rump patch • Dark brown neck, breast, legs • One of largest North American deer • Bugling • Same as in Europe

Alces alces (moose) • Primarily boreal forest biome • Largest deer • Broad, over-hanging muzzle • Massive, dished (palmate) antlers (max. spread ~2m) • Heavy & pendulant flap

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Rangifer (caribou) • Tundra (barren ground caribou) and boreal forest (woodland caribou) biomes • Both sexes have antlers • Varied coloration; brown-gray above, whitish belly, inner legs & rump • Clicking noise when walking = tendon slipping over the bone • Seasonal migration

Family – , sheep, • Entire horn (sheath & core) never shed and usually grow throughout life; also unbranched horns

Bison (bison) • Past prominence, North American plains

Ovis canadensis () • Rocky Mts.

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