We studied the bone and dental histology of the tri-dactyl equid Eurygnathohippus hooijeri, one of the most iconic mammals found at the world-renowned Pliocene site of Langebaanweg, South Africa, to reconstruct important features of its life history. Our results show that key life-history events, such as weaning, skeletal maturity and reproductive maturity, occurred later in this African hipparionine compared with European three-toed equids and several extant Equus. Its late life-history schedule agrees with an ecological context of low adult extrinsic mortality and low juvenile survival rates. We also observed high rates of bone growth in Eu. hooijeri that were probably achieved through a high-quality diet and plentiful available water. Our research highlights the significance of combining bone and dental histology in the same taxon to obtain refined palaeobiological information about extinct vertebrates.

中文翻译：

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矿化组织组织学揭示了来自 Langebaanweg（南非）的上新世三趾马的长期生活史

我们研究了三趾马科动物 Eurygnathohippus hooijeri 的骨骼和牙齿组织学，这是在世界著名的上新世南非朗格班韦格遗址发现的最具标志性的哺乳动物之一，以重建其生活史的重要特征。我们的研究结果表明，与欧洲三趾马科动物和一些现存的马科动物相比，这种非洲海马的关键生命史事件，如断奶、骨骼成熟和生殖成熟，发生得较晚。其晚期生活史时间表与成人外在死亡率低和青少年存活率低的生态环境相吻合。我们还观察到 Eu 中骨生长的高速率。hooijeri 这可能是通过高质量的饮食和充足的可用水来实现的。