Parahippus leonensis

Parahippus leonensis is an extinct proto-horse of the family Equidae that was endemic to North America during the Miocene from 23.03 to 16.3 million years ago, living for approximately 6.73 million years.^[1]

Parahippus leonensis Temporal range: 23.03–16.3 Million years ago
Reconstructed skeleton, Florida Museum of Natural History
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Perissodactyla
Family:	Equidae
Genus:	†Parahippus
Species:	†P. leonensis
Binomial name
†Parahippus leonensis Sellards, 1916

Parahippus leonensis was named for Leon or more specifically Leon County, Florida.^[2]

Taxonomy

Parahippus leonensis was named by Sellards (1916). Its type specimen is FGS 5084. Its type locality is Griscom Plantation site, which is in a Miocene marine limestone in the Torreya Formation of Florida. It was recombined as Hippodon leonensis by Quinn (1955); it was considered a nomen dubium by Macdonald (1992).^[3]

Origin

Parahippus leonensis was the next step in evolution after Miohippus. Parahippus means "side horse" and has been called the evolutionary link between the older forest-dwelling horses and modern plains-dwelling grazers. It is believed to be a close relative to the group from which modern horses evolved.^[4][5] Side may refer to side branches on the posterior crest of the upper molars which separated Parahippus from Anchitherium.

This genus of horses had a long head with eyes situated back from the middle of the skull. It had three toes, like other primitive horses, however Parahippus leonensis had smaller side toes. It was a common species from the Great Plains to Florida.^[6] Parahippus leonensis weighed in at about 72.5 kg (160 pounds).^[7]

Parahippus leonensis was very likely the prey of Amphicyon or bear-dog, and dog-like Temnocyon.