The Evolution of Horse Hooves: How Modern Horses Lost Their Additional Toes
A new study published in Nature Communications has revealed that modern horses have lost two additional toes that their ancient ancestors had. Researchers at the University of Manchester studied fossils of ancient horses and found that they had four toes on the front feet and three on the back feet, compared to the single hoof present today. This suggests that the modern horse has lost two toes over the course of their evolution. This is an important discovery as it gives us an insight into how horses have adapted and changed over time. It also sheds light on how the environment has impacted the evolution of horses. It is likely that the development of the single hoof was a result of the open plains and other grassy habitats that horses now inhabit, which makes it easier for them to travel across the landscape.
source: Phys.org