Description

Late Eocene (Ludian – Lower)

La Delruge, France

38mm mandible with 3 teeth of this early horse.

Mammal, Palaeotheriidae

Plagiolophus is a genus of the Family Palaeotheriidae, an Eocene-Oligocene 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.  At least some paleotheres have also been considered true horses due to the distinguishing features being rather subtle.  These animals are known primarily from Europe and not known to have migrated to North America.

Also 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.