ScienceAugust 30, 2026
equid
EK-wid
Definition
A mammal that belongs to the horse family (Equidae), which includes horses, donkeys, and zebras.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'equus' (horse) and the suffix '-id' (indicating a member of a family), the term was coined in the 19th century to classify the family Equidae.
In the news
The article uses 'equid' to refer to the broader biological family being studied, noting how researchers mapped striping across various equid species to identify the evolutionary pressure driving the pattern.
Scientists once thought zebra stripes might help confuse predators, but when researchers dressed horses in zebra-striped coats, biting flies repeatedly failed to land — adding to evidence that the famous pattern evolved to thwart insects, not lions
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