Description

Late Eocene (Ludian – Lower)

Gard, France

36mm mandible with 2 teeth of this early horse.

See: DEPERET C., 1917, MONOGRAPHIE DE LA FAUNE DE MAMMIFERES FOSSILES DU LUDIEN INFERIEUR D’EUZET LES BAINS (GARD), ANNALES DE L’UNIVERSITE DE LYON, N.S.I SCIENCES MEDECINE FASC.40

Mammal, Palaeotheriidae.

Plagiolophus was a genus in the Family Palaeotheriidae, a group that has been considered an offshoot of the horse family (Equidae) or a sister taxon of the horse family, that meaning that horses and paleotheres share a common ancestor.  Paleotheres have also been considered true horses due to the distinguishing features being rather subtle.  These animals are known primarily from Europe.