According to a 2022 study by Anne E. Kort, members of grandorder Ferungulata, in addition to their genetic similarities, share common synapomorphy in the lumbar vertebrae (the S-shaped postzygapophysis).

However, this feature is found also in many extinct members of Ferungulata, including hyaenodonts, oxyaenids, mesonychids, arctocyonids and the stem-relatives of perissodactyls (like Cambaytherium).

Also, in this and several other 2022 studies the extinct eutherians pantodonts, tillodonts and genus Deltatherium (family Deltatheriidae) are recognised as crown-group placental mammals,[4][6][7][8] who also possess S-shaped postzygapophysis like other members of Ferungulata.

The 'true' ungulates (mirorder Euungulata), Perissodactyla and Artiodactyla, are included in the revised group, along with the Carnivora, and with the addition of pangolins (order Pholidota), but the Tubulidentata and paenungulates are excluded.

For the fereungulatan ancestor, we discovered four ancestral syntenies..."[11] Point coloration has been observed in a wide variety of ferungulates, including cats, foxes, horses, and dogs.