Mammoth Origin and Evolution
Order Proboscidea (includes all elephants)
Proboscideans evolved ~50 million years ago (mya) Proboscis = long flexible snout 165 species
Mammoths are NOT closely related to mastodons.
Mastodons evolved ~25 mya and are quite different from mammoths in size, diet, structure, habitat
Mammoths are NOT the ancestors of the modern elephant.
Elephantids split into 3 main groups (making them like first cousins) ~3-5 mya
Mammuthus (mammoths - now extinct)
Loxodonta (L. africana = modern African elephant)
Elephas (E. maximus = modern Asian elephant)
Mammoths occurred originally in Africa Then moved north into Europe and Asia Steppe. Mammoth evolved into woolly mammoth. Woolly mammoth traveled into North America via the land bridge (Central Beringia) ~1.8 mya. Ancestral mammoth traveled into North America and evolved into Columbian mammoth
"Ice Age Mammoth." Principia College Mammoth Discovery. Principia College. 12 Mar 2009 <http://www.prin.edu/mammoth/Documents/Mammoth%20Info%20Handout.pdf>.
Mammoth Interactive Flash
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Kamiakin High School, 600 N. Arthur, Kennewick, WA - 509.222.7000 - Last updated 5/22/09