Biology:Elephas platycephalus
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Short description: Extinct species of mammal
| Elephas platycephalus Temporal range: Middle Pleistocene
| |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Proboscidea |
| Family: | Elephantidae |
| Genus: | Elephas |
| Species: | †E. platycephalus
|
| Binomial name | |
| †Elephas platycephalus Osborn, 1929
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Platelephas platycephalus | |
Elephas platycephalus is an extinct species of large herbivorous mammals that were closely related to Asian elephants. It lived between 130,000 and 700,000 years ago during the Middle Pleistocene epoch.[1] Fossils have been found in the upper Sivalik Hills.[2]
Taxonomy
Author and researcher Vincent Maglio suspected that another species, Mammuthus meridionalis (syn. Elephas planifrons), was a direct ancestor of E. platycephalus since both of the species appear quite similar. However, upon closely studying the fronto-parietal region of the skull as well as upper molars of the specimens belonging to both species, it was concluded that the two species differed radically.[3]
References
- ↑ Paul S. Martin, Richard G. Klein (1989). Quaternary Extinctions: A Prehistoric Revolution. University of Arizona Press. pp. 91. ISBN 9780816511006.
- ↑ Xiaoming Wang (2013). Fossil Mammals of Asia: Neogene Biostratigraphy and Chronology. Columbia University Press. pp. 433. ISBN 9780231520829.
- ↑ Avinash Nanda (2002). Skull characteristics of two proboscideans from the Upper Siwalik Subgroup of Nepal. Neues Jahrbuch fur Geologie und Palaontologie - Abhandlungen. pp. 22.
Wikidata ☰ Q24884068 entry
