Taxonomic and paleoecological investigation of the Miocene epoch Anatolian Equidae

Fossil finds of the Equidae family provides important information about the paleogeography, paleoecology, and paleobiogeography of their habitat due to their remarkable evolution and adaptation to varying environmental conditions. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to unravel the link between morphometric characteristics of members of Equidae family, their habitat, and how paloe-environmental conditions controlled its evolution. A total of 67 Equidae fossil record within the borders of Anatolia, and a total of 43 localities were examined. 6 of these localities yield Early Miocene, 7 Middle Miocene, 25 Late Miocene, 2 Early Pliocene and 7 Late Pleistocene Epochs. A life table was reconstructed based on the MN zones of all examined species. Apart from Anatolia, Greek and Iranian finds were also examined, and a total of 29 data were obtained from Greece, and in total these were examined as 10 localities. All localities yield Late Miocene and in total 1 genus and 12 species. For Iran, 5 data were obtained from only 1 locality. And it is represented by 3 genera and 5 species in total, indcate Late Miocene. From the four-toed Hyracotherium to the three-fingered Mesohippus, then to Merychippus and Hipparion, which, despite clearly running on the middle finger, still retain their 2nd and 4th fingers, and finally to Pliohippus and Equus, which have managed to get rid dysfunctional fingers completely. The taxonomic examination of the genera was carried out. First of all, the taxonomic examination of the genus and species that lived in Anatolia and then the genus and species that lived in Iran and Greece were made. In the evolutionary process from the oldest three-toed Anchitherium to the one-toed Equus, the three-toed Sinohippus, Plesiohipparion, Cremohipparion, Cormohipparion, Hipparion and Hippoterium genus have been studied. Body and tooth morphologies, living environments and diets of all genera and species studied of the studied fossil finds considered, their habitat was characterized by dense vegetation and cosed subtropical forest vegetation by the early Miocene that gradually became sparse (vegetation) towards the late Plesitocene epoch and become more open lands, steppe meadows. Finally, it is turned into arid steppe climate. Keywords: Anatolia, Equidae, Miocene, Paleoecology.