Class Mammalia
Order Proboscidea
Family Elephantidae
Elephantidae—Elephant Family // Mammuthus sp.—Mammoth // Mammuthus columbi—Columbian Mammoth // Mammuthus imperator—Imperial Mammoth // Mammuthus meridionalis—Southern Mammoth
The family Elephantidae includes the extinct mammoths and the living species of elephants. The family traces back to Africa, where it split off from the gomphothere line. The Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the most closely related living species to the mammoths, both on the basis of morphology and of what little DNA evidence is available.
Aside from the general proboscidean characters briefly mentioned in the section on the Proboscidea, the most obvious adaptation among the mammoths is in the nature of their cheek teeth. Rather than following the usual mammalian tooth pattern, a tooth consist of a number of plates of enamel-covered dentine held together by cementum. The plates are at right angles to the axis of the tooth. Differential wear between the highly resistant enamel, the somewhat less resistant dentine, and the relatively soft cementum results in teeth adapted to clipping herbage into short segments while also crushing the plant material to break down the cell walls. The great size and depth of the teeth resist wear from the normally abrasive foods utilized.
Mammoths originated in the Old World, migrating into the New at the start of the Irvingtonian Land Mammal Age. Thus their occurrence in a fauna is taken as indicating that the age is either Irvingtonian or Rancholabrean.
There appears to be two clades represented in the New World. One is represented by the Woolly Mammoth, Mammuthus primigenius, restricted to northern North America to south to the northern states of the United States. The other is represented by a series of species in an apparent anagenetic sequence. There is some variance in taxonomy and nomenclature among paleontologists. Accepted here are, from oldest to most recent: M. meridionalis, M. imperator, and M. columbi. M. hayi may be equivalent to M. meridionalis, and M. jeffersoni has been used instead of M. columbi (or as a more advanced taxon descended from M. columbi). The line ended in North America in extinction at the end of the Pleistocene.
Fig. 1. A partial maxilla and premaxilla of Mammuthus with the posteriormost fragment of M2 and the nearly complete M3 (several plates are missing posteriorly). Note the wear surface of M3; as the anterior portion of the tooth wears away, the posterior portion of the tooth rotates anteriorly.
Both by
the structure of the teeth and by analogy with its nearest living relative, the Indian Elephant
(Elephas maximus), it's generally accepted that mammoths were grazers. The massive teeth
are admirably adapted to withstand the highly abrasive diet of grasses. The cheek teeth are so
large that normally no more than portions of two teeth are in place at any one time. The teeth move
forward in the jaws as they wear, pushing the earlier tooth forward. The teeth are angled such that
the anterior end wears first, the tooth rotating into wear as the front end is ground away. Thus,
at any one time, between full eruption of the first tooth of the series of six and the last, the
hinder end of the anterior tooth and the anterior end of the posterior tooth are in wear. In
addition to this "conveyor system" of tooth replacement, the teeth are highly hypsodont, providing a long period of vertical wear
before the tooth become useless. The tendency through time has been to increase the number of
plates of enamel that make up each cheek tooth concomitant with reduction in the thickness of the
enamel.
Features other than size also facilitate a long period of usefulness. Cheek teeth consist of anteriorly-posteriorly flattened plates joined together by cementum. Each plate consists of a flattened oval of enamel around a core of dentine. This arrangement has several advantages. For one, the enamel resists wear. This not only extends the life of the tooth, but also results in a series of ridges extending beyond the less resistant dentine and the even softer cementum. As uppers and lowers move against one another, plant material is caught between the enamel ridges and neatly clipped.
Morgan and Lucas (2005) suggest that most of the sites listed here, as well as findings noted only as proboscidean, likely represent M. columbi. Mead et al. (2006:165) state: Given these identification problems, we refer essentially all Arizona mammoth remains to Maglio's designation of M. columbi (in part equates to M. jeffersoni of Kurtén and Anderson, 1980)." Records from Mead et al. (2005) are tentatively placed in this species, and they point out that a specimen from Taylor, Arizona, identified as M. imperator lacks published data necessary for sure placement with a species and time interval (Mead et al. 2005). In somewhat of an inconsistency, records by other authors that are not included in Mead et al. or Agenbroad et al. (2013) are given here as Mammuthus sp.
Fragmentary teeth and post-cranial elements often are identifiable as mammoths, but not identifiable to species; also, some specimens likely identifiable have only been reported as Mammuthus (or as mammoth).
Sites.
Pleistocene: Albert (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Datil (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Encino Blowouts (Agogino 1972); Green's Gap (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Lazy E Ranch (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Near Marathon (Mallouf 2001); Marfa Plain (Mallouf 2001); Perico Creek (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Quarai (Hibben 1941).
Irvingtonian: El Paso (UTEP).
Rancholabrean: Badlands Ranch (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Charley Day Spring (Lindsay and Tessman 1974); Granite Creek (Pasenko and Agenbroad 2012); Keams Canyon (Agenbroad and Mead 1989); Lake San Agustín (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Santa Cruz (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Solomon (Tegowski and White 2000); Springerville (McDonald et al. 2004); Whitlock Valley (Tegowski and White 2000); Yeso Creek (Agogino 1972).
Late Rancholabrean: Abiquiu (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Big Bear (Morgan and Lucas 2005); East Cave (O'Laughlin 1977).
Mid Wisconsin: Tank Trap Wash (Van Devender et al. 1987).
Late Wisconsin: Bonfire Shelter (Dibble and Lorain 1968); Howell's Ridge Cave (Harris 1993c); Isleta Cave No. 1 (Harris 1993c); Lucy Site (Agogino 1972); Sandia Cave, Folsom Level (Hibben 1941); Sandia Cave, Sandia Level (Hibben 1941).
Literature. Agenbroad and Mead 1989; Agogino 1972; Dibble and Lorrain 1968; Harris 1993c; Hibben 1941; Lindsay and Tessman 1974; Mallouf 2001; McDonald et al. 2004; Mead et al. 2005; Morgan and Lucas 2005; O'Laughlin 1977; Tegowski and White 2000; Pasenko and Agenbroad 2012; Van Devender et al. 1987.
Kurtén and Anderson (1980) applied this name to the taxon treated herein as M. imperator and used the name M. jeffersoni for the taxon recognized here as M. columbi.
Mammuthus columbi is by far the most commonly recovered species of mammoth and nearly the most common mammal recovered from open sites. The reasons for this are apparent: the recency of occurrence and the fact that it's very difficult to overlook such a large creature. The map gives a good impression of the distribution of sites, but in several clusters, especially in southeastern Arizona, sites are so numerous that only a portion of them can be shown.
Fiedel (2009) lists what he considers the nine youngest, credible dates for Mammuthus columbi. These cluster between 11,110 ± 40 and 10,710 ± 130 BP, dating the Columbian Mammoth as a participant in the Pleistocene megafaunal extinction.
Following Mead et al. (2005), it has been assumed that Mammuthus records refer to M. columbi unless specifically assigned to a different species. This is not without danger since such an assumption may be incorrect—however, forewarned is fore armed.
Sites.
Irvingtonian: NE Bowie (Pasenko 2012).
Early Rancholabrean: Albuquerque Gravel Pits (Morgan and Lucas 2005).
Rancholabrean: Adamana (Agenbroad et al. 2013); Alkali Flat (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Alkali Spring (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Ash Canyon (Mead et al. 2005); Bain (Mead et al. 2005); Big Tooth (Mead et al. 2005); Bill Williams River Fork (Mead et al. 2005); Black Mountain (Mead et al. 2005); Black Point (Mead et al. 2005); Black Rock (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Bloomfield (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Boquillas Station (Mead et al. 2005); Calera Ranch (Mead et al. 2005); Cameron (Mead et al. 2005); Canez Wash (Mead et al. 2005); Capitan (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Carrizozo (Harris 1993c: cf.); Cartridge (Mead et al. 2005); Casados Ranch (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Cerro Colorado (Mead et al. 2005); Chambers-McCarrel (Mead et al. 2005); Chandler (Agenbroad et al. 2013); Charley Day Spring (Mead et al. 2005); Choate Ranch (Mead et al. 2005); Colorado River (Agenbroad et al. 2013); Comobabi Mammoth (Mead et al. 2005); Corona (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Cow Springs (Agenbroad et al. 2013); Davies Tank (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Deming (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Dogie Jones Ranch (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Donnet (Mead et al. 2005); Ehrenberg (Mead et al. 2005); Elgin School (Mead et al. 2005); Estancia Sand Pit (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Fenn Site (Mead et al. 2005); Fort McDowell (Mead et al. 2005); Fort Stanton (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Fort Sumner (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Gardner Gravel (Mead et al. 2005); Gila Bend (Agenbroad et al. 2013); Golden Shores (Agenbroad et al. 2013); Goodwater Wash (Mead et al. 2005); Gray (Mead et al. 2005); Guenther Mammoth (Mead et al. 2005); Guadalupita (Gillette et al. 1985); Hereford Dairy (Mead et al. 2005); Hurley (Mead et al. 2005); Inscription House (Agenbroad et al. 2013); Jal (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Jarrett (Mead et al. 2005); Keen Spring (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Kelton (Mead et al. 2005); Las Vegas (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Leikum (Mead et al. 2005); Leupp (Agenbroad et al. 2013); Lindsay Ranch (Mead et al. 2005); Lopez (Mead et al. 2005); Lordsburg Draw (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Mammoth (Mead et al. 2005); Mesa Redonda (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Milagro (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Morris Gravel (Mead et al. 2005); Morrow (Mead et al. 2005); Mosan Wash (Mead et al. 2005); Navajo (Agenbroad et al. 2013); Nichols (Lundin and Royse 1973); North of Golden Shores (Agenbroad et al. 2013); Pajarito Creek (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Peña Blanca (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Pettit (Mead et al. 2005); Phoenix (Agenbroad et al. 2013); Pirtleville (Mead et al. 2005); Picuris (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Pomerene West (Mead et al. 2005); Porter Springs (Mead et al. 2005); Quay (Morgan and Lucas 2003); Sacramento Mountains (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Safford (Tegowski and White 2000); San Simon (Mead et al. 2005); Sandblast Cave (Emslie 1988); Santa Fe (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Savallini-Williams (Agenbroad et al. 2013); Schaldack (Mead et al. 2005); Scottsdale (Agenbroad et al. 2013); Seff (Mead et al. 2005); Sells (Mead et al. 2005); Shoulder (Mead et al. 2005); Shill Ranch (Mead et al. 2005); Sonoita (Mead et al. 2005); Sonoita Creek (Mead et al. 2005); Starvation Draw (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Tombstone Gulch (Mead et al. 2005); Tramperos Creek (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Tsegi Canyon (Mead et al. 2005); Tsegihatsosi Canyon (Mead et al. 2005); Tucson Brickyard (Mead et al. 2005); Vadito (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Wakefield (Mead et al. 2005); Walnut Grove (Mead et al. 2005); Whitewater Draw (Mead et al. 2005); Willcox (Mead et al. 2005); Wiregrass (Agenbroad et al. 2013); Woodruff (Mead et al. 2005); Wupatki Monument (Mead et al. 2005); Youngsville (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Yuma (Mead et al. 2005).
Mid Wisconsin: Shonto (Mead et al. 2005).
Mid/Late Wisconsin: Sandblast Cave (Emslie 1988).
Late Wisconsin: Anderson Basin et al. (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Big Bear (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Blackwater Draw Fauna (Slaughter 1975); Cerros Negros (Mead et al. 2005); Double Adobe (Mead et al. 2005); Dry Gulch (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Escapule (Mead et al. 2005); Fain Ranch (Pasenko and Agenbroad 2012: cf.); Hermit's Cave (Harris 1993c); Hurley (Mead et al. 2005); Lehner Site (Hemmings 2007a); M & M Mastodon Site (Agenbroad et al. 2013); McCullum Ranch (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Murray Springs (Hemmings 2007b); Naco (Mead et al. 2005); Placitas (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Salt Creek (UTEP: cf.); Saint Johns (Mead et al. 2005); San Jon (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Stolle Mammoth Site (Agogino 1985); Toyah (Metcalf 1977); VLA (Morgan et al. 2009); Winslow (Mead et al. 2005).
Literature. Agenbroad et al. 2013; Agogino 1985; Fiedel 2009; Emslie 1988; Gillette et al. 1985; Harris 1993c; Hemmings2007a;; Hemmings2007b; Lindsay 1978; Lundin and Royse 1973; Metcalf 1977; Morgan and Lucas 2003, 2005; Mead et al. 2005; Morgan et al. 2009; Pasenko 2012; Pasenko and Agenbroad 2012; Schultz 1943; Slaughter 1975; Tegowski and White 2000.
All of the occurrences of Mammuthus imperator have been plotted as Irvingtonian. Morgan and Lucas (2005), however, have pointed out that several of these have no confirming evidence; they have been mapped here on the possibly erroneous assumption that M. imperator is restricted to the Irvingtonian.
Fig. 1. Lower anterior mandible with m/1 (?) from the eastern side of El Paso, Texas.
Sites.
Early/Medial Pleistocene: Marley Ranch (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Rio Conchas (Morgan and Lucas 2005).
Irvingtonian ?: Galisteo (Morgan and Lucas 2005); (Morgan and Lucas 2005); San Francisco River (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Taylor (Mead et al. 2005).
Irvingtonian: El Paso (UTEP: ?); Inman Gravel Pit (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Tijeras Arroyo (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Tortugas Mountain Gravel Pit (Morgan and Lucas 2005).
Late Irvingtonian or Early Rancholabrean: Eighteenmile Bend (Morgan and Lucas 2005); X-Bar-X Ranch (Morgan and Lucas 2005).
Literature. Mead et al. 2005; Morgan and Lucas 2005.
The tendency within the presumed anagenetic line Mammuthus meridionalis-M. imperator-M. columbi is to increase the number of tooth plates and reduce the thickness of the plate enamel. As the first in the line, M. meridionalis has relatively few plates with relatively thick enamel.
Fig. 1. Occlusal and side view of a tooth of Mammuthus cf. meridionalis from the vicinity of La Union, Doña Ana Co., NM.
Sites.
Irvingtonian: Tijeras Arroyo (Morgan and Lucas 2005); Adobe Ranch (Morgan and Lucas 2005).
Literature. Morgan and Lucas 2005.
Last Update: 21 Apr 2013