Odontological and osteological comparison of hipparion (Equidae-perissodactyla) in late miocene mammal fauna in Western Anatolia

The geological evolution of Anatolia was started 25 million years ago and has take form up to today. In that period, many taxa have evolved and diversified in Anatolia. A large number of mammal fossils are found in the Late Miocene faunas in Anatolia. The Hipparion (Equidae, Perissodactyla) that make up the subject of the study is a dominant genus in mammal faunas. Abundance of Hipparion which is three toed horse genus allows making comparisons between different localities and making paleoecological, palaebiogeographical and biochronological interpretations. In this thesis, Hipparion species in Late Miocene mammal localities in Eurasia were determined as a result of a detailed literature review. In addition, osteological and biometric studies were performed on the Hipparion fossils belonging to the localities of Uşak-Eşme-Kemiklitepe and Çanakkale-Ayvacık-Gülpınar which are collected of Ege University Natural History Application and Research Center. The obtained of biometric data were compared with other localities by using logarithmic ratio diagrams, thus it was aimed to reveal similarities and differences. As a result of comparisons, H. cf. sithonis, H. cf. brachypus and H. cf. philippus species have been identified. Hipparion assemblage suggest Late Miocene (MN11- lower MN12) age for these localities. The metapodial morphology and enamel plication of Kemiklitepe and Gülpınar hipparions suggest savannah-like environment for the localities.