 |
|
Fossil is missing link in elephant lineage
November 02, 2006ANN ARBOR, Mich.-A pig-sized, tusked creature that roamed the earth some 27 million years ago represents a missing link between the oldest known relatives of elephants and the more recent group from which modern elephants descended, an international team that includes University of Michigan paleontologist William J. Sanders has found.
The group's findings, to be published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest that mastodons and the ancestors of elephants originated in Africa, in contrast to mammals such as rhinos, giraffes and antelopes, which had their origins in Europe and Asia and migrated into Africa. The dating of the new fossil, discovered in the East African country of Eritrea, also pushes the origins of elephants and mastodons five million years farther into the past than previous records, Sanders said.
From 35 to 25 million years ago, representatives of the group known as proboscideans (which includes elephants, mastodons and their close relatives) lived only in Africa and Arabia, and most of them were palaeomastodonts. These animals were shorter and smaller than today's elephants, with short trunks and tusks and simple teeth that were all in place at the same time, as human adult teeth are.
After 25 million years ago, larger proboscideans such as mastodons and gomphotheres-the ancestors of modern elephants-dominated the scene. Elephant-sized, with long tusks and trunks, these advanced proboscidans had more complex teeth that emerged more slowly, so that each quadrant of the mouth had only one or two functional teeth in place at a time.
"The new fossil from Eritrea is important because it shows aspects of dental anatomy in common with the advanced group, including molars with more cusps and complex crowns and the delayed maturation and emergence of molars," said Sanders, an assistant research scientist in the U-M Museum of Paleontology. But the creature that the new fossil represents also had characteristics in common with palaeomastodonts, namely smaller body size and a jaw structure that suggests shorter tusks and trunk.
"In age and anatomy it is exactly the sort of intermediate evolutionists would expect to bridge the gap between archaic and advanced proboscideans," Sanders said.
In addition to Sanders, the research team included Jeheskel Shoshani of the University of Asmara in Eritrea and the Elephant Research Foundation in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; Robert Walter of Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Penn.; Michael Abraha and Tesfalidet Ghirmai of the Eritrean Ministry of Mines and Energy; Seife Berhe of Global Resources in Asmara, Eritrea; Pascal Tassy of the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris; Gary Marchant of the Elephant Research Foundation; Yosief Libsekal of the National Museum of Eritrea; and Dietmar Zinner of Deutsches Primatenzentrum in Gottingen, Germany.
Sanders received financial support for participation in the project from a Scott Turner Award from the U-M Department of Geological Sciences.
The Regents of the University of Michigan
After 25 million years ago, larger proboscideans such as mastodons and gomphotheres-the ancestors of modern elephants-dominated the scene. Elephant-sized, with long tusks and trunks, these advanced proboscidans had more complex teeth that emerged more slowly, so that each quadrant of the mouth had only one or two functional teeth in place at a time.
"The new fossil from Eritrea is important because it shows aspects of dental anatomy in common with the advanced group, including molars with more cusps and complex crowns and the delayed maturation and emergence of molars," said Sanders, an assistant research scientist in the U-M Museum of Paleontology. But the creature that the new fossil represents also had characteristics in common with palaeomastodonts, namely smaller body size and a jaw structure that suggests shorter tusks and trunk.
"In age and anatomy it is exactly the sort of intermediate evolutionists would expect to bridge the gap between archaic and advanced proboscideans," Sanders said.
In addition to Sanders, the research team included Jeheskel Shoshani of the University of Asmara in Eritrea and the Elephant Research Foundation in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; Robert Walter of Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Penn.; Michael Abraha and Tesfalidet Ghirmai of the Eritrean Ministry of Mines and Energy; Seife Berhe of Global Resources in Asmara, Eritrea; Pascal Tassy of the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris; Gary Marchant of the Elephant Research Foundation; Yosief Libsekal of the National Museum of Eritrea; and Dietmar Zinner of Deutsches Primatenzentrum in Gottingen, Germany.
Sanders received financial support for participation in the project from a Scott Turner Award from the U-M Department of Geological Sciences.
The Regents of the University of Michigan
Elephant Current Events and Elephant News RSSBeyond sunlight: Explorers census 17,650 ocean species between edge of darkness and black abyss
Census of Marine Life scientists have inventoried an astonishing abundance, diversity and distribution of deep sea species that have never known sunlight - creatures that somehow manage a living in a frigid black world down to 5,000 meters (~3 miles) below the ocean waves.
A motley collection of boneworms
It sounds like a classic horror story-eyeless, mouthless worms lurk in the dark, settling onto dead animals and sending out green "roots" to devour their bones.
Remotely Operated Vehicles and Satellite Tags Aid Turtle Studies
Researchers are using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and satellite-linked data loggers to learn more about turtle behavior in commercial fishing areas and to develop new ways to avoid catching turtles in fishing gear.
Scientists discover largest orb-weaving spider
Researchers from the United States and Slovenia have discovered a new, giant Nephila species (golden orb weaver spider) from Africa and Madagascar and have published their findings in the Oct. 21 issue of the journal PLoS ONE.
APS Podcast Updates Research on Elephant Seismic Communication
Caitlin O'Connell-Rodwell's insight that elephants 'talk' and 'listen' to vocalizations that they send through the ground grew from long hours of observation and experimentation, as well as her own in-depth knowledge of insects that communicate seismically.
NOAA study shows nitrous oxide now top ozone-depleting emission
Nitrous oxide has now become the largest ozone-depleting substance emitted through human activities, and is expected to remain the largest throughout the 21st century, NOAA scientists say in a new study.
Annual Survey Shows High Numbers of Seed Scallops on Georges Bank, Low Numbers in Mid-Atlantic
A NOAA Fisheries scallop survey off the northeastern coast between North Carolina and Massachusetts shows high numbers of juvenile "recruit" sea scallops and ocean quahogs on Georges Bank tempered with weak numbers for seed scallops in the Mid-Atlantic for 2009.
Caltech-led team shows how evolution can allow for large developmental leaps
How evolution acts to bridge the chasm between two discrete physiological states is a question that's long puzzled scientists.
Seals quickly respond to gain and loss of habitat under climate change
Southern Elephant seals responded rapidly to climate and habitat change and established a new breeding site thousands of kilometres from existing breeding grounds, according to new research.
New Research Shows Dinosaurs May Have Been Smaller Than We Thought
For millions of years, dinosaurs have been considered the largest creatures ever to walk on land. While they still maintain this status, a new study suggests that some dinosaurs may actually have weighed as little as half as much as previously thought.
More Elephant Current Events and Elephant News Articles
 |
Kaiser Bakeware Elephant Baking Pan by Kaiser Kaiser Bakeware "happy animal" baking shapes are fun for the entire family. Turn your kitchen in to a Zoo! |
 |
WINKS - elephant by Ty Winks the gray and pink elephant will never forget what a good friend you are! Measures 10"H. |
 |
Sterling Silver Diamond-Accent Elephant Pendant, 18" by Amazon.com Collection Elephants are a popular symbol of wisdom, strength, and good luck, and they make a charming jewelry motif. This pretty elephant pendant is crafted in polished 925 sterling silver and accented with .025 carat of genuine diamonds. It dangles from a polished silver bail and presents on an 18-inch sterling silver box chain that closes with a spring ring clasp. Sweet, whimsical, and also very elegant, this elephant pendant will make a fine addition to your collection, or a delightful gift. |
 |
Monet Enamel Elephant Keepsake Box GREY by Monet 2 1/2" long, 1 1/2" high grey, pink & blue enamel elephant keepsake box. Great gift for the elephant lovers. Comes in a gift box. By Monet. |
 |
Melissa & Doug Elephant - Plush by Melissa and Doug Make way for the elephant! You'll need plenty of room in your heart for this lovable elephant. Excellent quality construction and attention to detail are obvious in this elephant?s tusks, wrinkled trunk, floppy ears, right down to its toenails. Just right for elephant-sized hugging! Elephant measures 28.5"L?x 20"W?x 11.5"H. |
 |
Elephant Locket by N/A A satin finish and polished elephant adorn a locket that's perfect to give as a gift. Place a tiny picture inside to remind them of the ones they love. 30" chain. Goldtone metal. Made in the USA.. Palm Beach Jewelry Item 05716 |
 |
Crane Adorable 1 Gallon Cool Mist Humidifier, Elephant Shape by Crane Adorable Crane Cool Mist Humidifier provides additional comfort to cold symptoms, dry itchy skin, and chapped lips. The whisper quiet humidifier operates on a low power consumption providing up to 11 hours of moisture from a removable one gallon water tank. Includes an automatic shut off safety feature when water tank is empty. Directions to Use: Use on a flat surface |
 |
Water for Elephants (Thorndike Paperback Bestsellers) by Sara Gruen (Author) Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell. Jacob was there because his luck had run out—orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on this locomotive "ship of fools." It was the early part of the Great Depression, and everyone in this third-rate circus was lucky to have any job at all.... |
|
Furreal Friends Zambi the Baby Elephant by Hasbro This adorable baby elephant will hold your finger with his trunk and give you a kiss! Poseable legs allow him to sit and stand, and he also moves his ears. Don't you know someone who would just love him to pieces? Make a difference when you purchase this special friend, and by wearing the PROJECT ZAMBI bracelet to spread the word about this important effort. Hasbro will make a difference by committing to donate 50 percent of the net profits from the sales of ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT to the PROJECT ZAMBI Fund* a mission that cares about children orphaned by AIDS in Africa. | |
 |
Green Elephant 4 Piece Baby Crib Bedding Set by Carters by Carters |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |