PETM perissodactyl records imply rapid dispersal among northern landmasses, while sparse sampling and analysis-dependent stem placements leave the order’s place of origin unresolved.
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References / paperEvolutionary Transitions in the Fossil Record of Terrestrial Hoofed Mammals
Prothero, D.R.
Year2009
Source rolesystematic-review
DOI / ID10.1007/s12052-009-0136-1
Fitness and scope
taxonomy · morphology · ecology · biogeography · range · topology
Peer-reviewed synthesis of the early perissodactyl fossil radiation and lineage-specific dental, cranial and limb transformations; broad order-level context, not a source for exact node ages.
Claim ledger
Perissodactyla is treated as the order containing living horses, tapirs and rhinoceroses plus diverse extinct branches; basal fossil placements remain analysis-dependent.
claim:taxon:perissodactyla:taxonomyThe order-level profile records early dental and cranial similarity followed by strong lineage-specific divergence; it does not assert one foot, tooth or digestive condition for every fossil branch.
claim:taxon:perissodactyla:morphologyPerissodactyls were terrestrial herbivores spanning small early forms to giant rhinocerotoids and later browsing, mixed-feeding and grazing lineages; these states evolved in separate branches rather than as one progression.
claim:taxon:perissodactyla:ecology