Riwoche horse: Difference between revisions
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|country= Tibet |
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{{Taxobox |
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| name = Riwoche horse |
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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia |
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| phylum = [[Chordata]] |
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| classis = [[Mammal]]ia |
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| ordo = [[Perissodactyla]] |
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| familia = [[Equidae]] |
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| genus = |
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}} |
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The '''Riwoche horse''' is a dun-colored, pony-sized [[horse]] indigenous to northeastern [[Tibet]]. It came to international attention in 1995, at which time its primitive appearance and small size led to speculation that it might be an evolutionary link between the prehistoric [[wild horse]] and the modern [[domestication of the horse|domestic horse]]. Subsequent analysis, however, demonstrated that it is genetically indistinguishable from modern horses. |
The '''Riwoche horse''' is a dun-colored, pony-sized [[horse]] indigenous to northeastern [[Tibet]]. It came to international attention in 1995, at which time its primitive appearance and small size led to speculation that it might be an evolutionary link between the prehistoric [[wild horse]] and the modern [[domestication of the horse|domestic horse]]. Subsequent analysis, however, demonstrated that it is genetically indistinguishable from modern horses. |
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==Nomenclature== |
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The horse was named by European explorers after its home region in [[Kham]], northeastern Tibet. |
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==Discovery== |
==Discovery== |
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The breed was first observed by non-Tibetans in 1995 in an isolated, {{convert|27|km|mi}} long valley reached only by crossing a {{convert|5000|m|ft}} mountain pass, by a team of explorers led by the French ethnologist [[Michel Peissel]].<ref name=Time>[http://web.archive.org/web/20050318035422/http://www.time.com/time/international/1995/951127/nature.html Dam, Julie K.L., Bruce Crumley/Paris and Helen Gibson/London. "Ancient Hoofbeats: In Tibet, A Missing Link in Equine Evolution?" ''Time,'' November 27, 1995 Volume 146, No. 22]. Accessed September 10, 2009</ref> While on an expedition to study another horse breed that Peissel had previously observed in 1993, the [[Nangchen horse]],<ref name= Lowry/> he came upon a number of small horses in an isolated valley in the [[Riwoqê County|Riwoche region]] of [[Tibet]]. These animals were unknown to the rest of the world, but familiar to and used by the local [[Bon-po]] people,<ref name=Time/> Peissel and his crew obtained blood samples from the herd for [[DNA]] testing.<ref name=Time/> |
The breed was first observed by non-Tibetans in 1995 in an isolated, {{convert|27|km|mi}} long valley reached only by crossing a {{convert|5000|m|ft}} mountain pass, by a team of explorers led by the French ethnologist [[Michel Peissel]].<ref name=Time>[http://web.archive.org/web/20050318035422/http://www.time.com/time/international/1995/951127/nature.html Dam, Julie K.L., Bruce Crumley/Paris and Helen Gibson/London. "Ancient Hoofbeats: In Tibet, A Missing Link in Equine Evolution?" ''Time,'' November 27, 1995 Volume 146, No. 22]. Accessed September 10, 2009</ref> While on an expedition to study another horse breed that Peissel had previously observed in 1993, the [[Nangchen horse]],<ref name= Lowry/> he came upon a number of small horses in an isolated valley in the [[Riwoqê County|Riwoche region]] of [[Tibet]]. These animals were unknown to the rest of the world, but familiar to and used by the local [[Bon-po]] people,<ref name=Time/> Peissel and his crew obtained blood samples from the herd for [[DNA]] testing.<ref name=Time/> |
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A British equine psychologist accompanying the expedition, Dr. [[Ignasi |
A British equine psychologist accompanying the expedition, Dr. [[Ignasi Casas]], theorized that the Riwoche horse was a [[relict]] population of wild horses due to living in near-complete isolation from other breeds for a very long time.<ref name=Dohner298>{{cite encyclopedia |author=Dohner, Janet Vorwald |editor= Dohner, Janet Vorwald |title=Equines: Natural History |encyclopedia=Historic and Endangered Livestock and Poultry Breeds |year=2001 |publisher=Yale University Press |location=Topeka, KS |pages=400–401 | isbn = 978-0-300-08880-9 }}</ref><ref name=Lowry/> Other hypotheses suggested that it is might be an evolutionary link between the prehistoric horse and the domesticated horse,<ref>[http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/node/16302 "Resurrecting the dead" ''Down to Earth'' February 14, 1996]</ref> but testing did not reveal genetic divergence from other horses,<ref name=Tibet>{{cite book|title=Tibet: the secret continent|author=Peissel, Michel|date=2002|publisher=Macmillan|ISBN=0-312-30953-8, 9780312309534|page=36|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=6sFWvuBug8IC&pg=PA36&lpg=PA36&dq=riwoche+horse&source=bl&ots=nZu3B3ma-4&sig=0XueNyuhggPusJxgJ3fP37ZkSRQ&hl=en&ei=hompSpL4GZOesgOspN2UBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8#v=onepage&q=riwoche%20horse&f=false}}</ref> which was in line with news reports that the horses were domesticated, used as pack and riding animals by the local residents.<ref name=CNN/> Peissel noted the [[phenotype|phenotypical]] resemblance of the Riwoche horse to the [[Przewalski's horse]], but expressed a strong belief that the two are not closely related.<ref name=Time/> |
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==Characteristics== |
==Characteristics== |
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Riwoche horses are [[pony]] sized, standing only {{hands|12}} tall. They are said to resemble horses depicted in prehistoric cave paintings.<ref name=CNN>{{cite web |title= Tibetan discovery is 'horse of a different color' |publisher=CNN |date=17 November 1995|accessdate=2009-09-09|url=http://www-cgi.cnn.com/WORLD/9511/tibet_pony/index.html |author=Humi, Peter}}</ref> They are [[dun gene|dun]] in color, with angular bodies, upright manes and [[primitive markings]] including a dorsal stripe down their spine<!--source doesn't indicate if they also have the transverse stripe across the withers--> and striping on the back of their legs. These features are similar to those of some other modern horse breeds thought to have ancient roots.<ref name=Time/> They also have small ears, rough coats,<ref name=Lowry>[http://web.ncf.ca/bz050/HomePage.np.html Lowry, Susan. "Explorer backs Tibetan dark horse in the history stakes." ''Fortean Times'' (reprinted)] Accessed September 10, 2009</ref> small jaws, straight, flat foreheads, and unique, narrow "duck-bill" nostrils.<ref name=Geographical/> |
Riwoche horses are [[pony]] sized, standing only {{hands|12}} tall. They are said to resemble horses depicted in prehistoric cave paintings.<ref name=CNN>{{cite web |title= Tibetan discovery is 'horse of a different color' |publisher=CNN |date=17 November 1995|accessdate=2009-09-09|url=http://www-cgi.cnn.com/WORLD/9511/tibet_pony/index.html |author=Humi, Peter}}</ref> They are [[dun gene|dun]] in color, with angular bodies, upright manes and [[primitive markings]] including a dorsal stripe down their spine<!--source doesn't indicate if they also have the transverse stripe across the withers--> and striping on the back of their legs. These features are similar to those of some other modern horse breeds thought to have ancient roots.<ref name=Time/> They also have small ears, rough coats,<ref name=Lowry>[http://web.ncf.ca/bz050/HomePage.np.html Lowry, Susan. "Explorer backs Tibetan dark horse in the history stakes." ''Fortean Times'' (reprinted)] Accessed September 10, 2009</ref> small jaws, straight, flat foreheads, and unique, narrow "duck-bill" nostrils.<ref name=Geographical/> |
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Their unusual appearance led Peissel to speculate that they could be "living fossils." He noted that they strongly resembled horses in prehistoric cave art, a "number two" horse distinct from but often pictured alongside horses with a body type resembling the Przewalski's Horse.<ref name=Geographical>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb3120/is_4_71/ai_n28730908/pg_2/ Peissel, Michel. "Reserve on the |
Their unusual appearance led Peissel to speculate that they could be "living fossils." He noted that they strongly resembled horses in prehistoric cave art, a "number two" horse distinct from but often pictured alongside horses with a body type resembling the Przewalski's Horse.<ref name=Geographical>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb3120/is_4_71/ai_n28730908/pg_2/ Peissel, Michel. "Reserve on the Roof of the World" ''Geographical,'' April, 1999] accessed September 10, 2009</ref> |
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==Status== |
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This taxon has not yet been assessed for the [[IUCN Red List]]. |
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==Subsequent discoveries== |
==Subsequent discoveries== |
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Revision as of 02:37, 31 December 2012
| Country of origin | Tibet |
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| Riwoche horse | |
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The Riwoche horse is a dun-colored, pony-sized horse indigenous to northeastern Tibet. It came to international attention in 1995, at which time its primitive appearance and small size led to speculation that it might be an evolutionary link between the prehistoric wild horse and the modern domestic horse. Subsequent analysis, however, demonstrated that it is genetically indistinguishable from modern horses.
Nomenclature
The horse was named by European explorers after its home region in Kham, northeastern Tibet.
Discovery
The breed was first observed by non-Tibetans in 1995 in an isolated, 27 kilometres (17 mi) long valley reached only by crossing a 5,000 metres (16,000 ft) mountain pass, by a team of explorers led by the French ethnologist Michel Peissel.[1] While on an expedition to study another horse breed that Peissel had previously observed in 1993, the Nangchen horse,[2] he came upon a number of small horses in an isolated valley in the Riwoche region of Tibet. These animals were unknown to the rest of the world, but familiar to and used by the local Bon-po people,[1] Peissel and his crew obtained blood samples from the herd for DNA testing.[1]
A British equine psychologist accompanying the expedition, Dr. Ignasi Casas, theorized that the Riwoche horse was a relict population of wild horses due to living in near-complete isolation from other breeds for a very long time.[3][2] Other hypotheses suggested that it is might be an evolutionary link between the prehistoric horse and the domesticated horse,[4] but testing did not reveal genetic divergence from other horses,[5] which was in line with news reports that the horses were domesticated, used as pack and riding animals by the local residents.[6] Peissel noted the phenotypical resemblance of the Riwoche horse to the Przewalski's horse, but expressed a strong belief that the two are not closely related.[1]
Characteristics
Riwoche horses are pony sized, standing only 12 hands (48 inches, 122 cm) tall. They are said to resemble horses depicted in prehistoric cave paintings.[6] They are dun in color, with angular bodies, upright manes and primitive markings including a dorsal stripe down their spine and striping on the back of their legs. These features are similar to those of some other modern horse breeds thought to have ancient roots.[1] They also have small ears, rough coats,[2] small jaws, straight, flat foreheads, and unique, narrow "duck-bill" nostrils.[7]
Their unusual appearance led Peissel to speculate that they could be "living fossils." He noted that they strongly resembled horses in prehistoric cave art, a "number two" horse distinct from but often pictured alongside horses with a body type resembling the Przewalski's Horse.[7]
Status
This taxon has not yet been assessed for the IUCN Red List.
Subsequent discoveries
On the same expedition, Peissel also observed other isolated and unique species of megafauna, including a rare white-lipped deer, as well as what is believed to be the source of the Mekong river.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f Dam, Julie K.L., Bruce Crumley/Paris and Helen Gibson/London. "Ancient Hoofbeats: In Tibet, A Missing Link in Equine Evolution?" Time, November 27, 1995 Volume 146, No. 22. Accessed September 10, 2009
- ^ a b c Lowry, Susan. "Explorer backs Tibetan dark horse in the history stakes." Fortean Times (reprinted) Accessed September 10, 2009
- ^ Dohner, Janet Vorwald (2001). "Equines: Natural History". In Dohner, Janet Vorwald (ed.). Historic and Endangered Livestock and Poultry Breeds. Topeka, KS: Yale University Press. pp. 400–401. ISBN 978-0-300-08880-9.
- ^ "Resurrecting the dead" Down to Earth February 14, 1996
- ^ Peissel, Michel (2002). Tibet: the secret continent. Macmillan. p. 36. ISBN 0-312-30953-8, 9780312309534.
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: invalid character (help) - ^ a b Humi, Peter (17 November 1995). "Tibetan discovery is 'horse of a different color'". CNN. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
- ^ a b Peissel, Michel. "Reserve on the Roof of the World" Geographical, April, 1999 accessed September 10, 2009
Further reading
- Peissel, Michel (1997). The Last Barbarians. Henry Holt & Co. ISBN 0-8050-4534-1.
{{cite book}}: More than one of|ISBN=and|isbn=specified (help)
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