Evolution of The Elephant

Evolution of the Elephant

There are two recognized species of elephants today. The Africana Species and the Maximus Species.  Many centuries ago many people believed that elephants originated from Asia; However, fossil evidence has shown that the earliest Proboscidea (the order that elephants are taxonomically classified as), originated in Africa. Descendant species of the Proboscideans have inhabited many different environments over time, from aquatic to tundra. Phosphatherium a small, pig sized herbivore was the first Proboscidea to appear in Africa 60 million years ago. This animal did not have trunks as elephants do today but had massive incisors.

The Phioma and Moeritherium are two other major Proboscideans that have been cited as early ancestors of the elephant. These two animals lived in northern Africa about 35-50 million years ago. As the Proboscideans evolved, many of the early species such as the Palaeomastodon and Gomphotherium had no resemblance to the modern day elephant. Over time the animals morphologically changed. Their skull teeth and tusks became larger, and their limbs grew longer and larger.  Eventually the trunk of the elephant developed. Elephants are the only surviving proboscideans. The ancestors of the elephant include the Mammuthus, Mammut, Stegodon, and the Anancus.

Ref.

    "ELEPHANTS - Scientific Classification." SeaWorld/Busch Gardens ANIMALS - HOME. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2013. http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/elephants/scientific-classification.htm.

  "ELEPHANTS - Scientific Classification." SeaWorld/Busch Gardens ANIMALS - HOME. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2013.< http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/elephants/scientific-classification.htm>.

    Strauss, Bob. "Elephant Evolution - The Story of Prehistoric Elephants." Dinosaurs at About.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2013. <http://dinosaurs.about.com/od/mesozoicmammals/a/elephants.htm>.