Evolution of teeth in Equidae

    Molariform teeth of Hyracotherium are adapted for browsing (eating of leaves): they are low-crowned, the enamel layer is simple, and there is no cementum layer. Molariform teeh in Equus are adapted for grazing (eating of grasses): they are high-crowned, the enamel layer is deeply folded, and there is a cementum layer. Extinct froms such as Mesohippus and Merychippus show intermediate stages in this development.