Tracing transitions : an overview of the evolution and migrations of the genus Mammuthus BROOKES, 1828 (Mammalia, Proboscidea)

Essen, J.A. van (2011)

Doctoral Thesis

The text mainly deals with the Eurasian evolutionary history of mammoths. It focuses on the time bracket 1.0-0.6 Ma, within which Mammuthus meridionalis (the southern mammoth) finally became extinct in Europe. Its descendant,the initially eastern Asian steppe mammoth (M. trogontherii) was a comparatively late immigrant in Europe (c. 1.2-1.0 Ma)and then for a time was the only mammoth species there. European sites that yielded relevant material are rivised. The probability of hybridisation between the said species, suggested by the occurrence of so-called mosaic molars, is discussed. In addition, a number of subspecific taxa traditionally referred to M. meridionalis is now ascribed to M. trogontherii, which reduces the role played by M. meridionalis at the end of the Early Pleistocene.

• Subspecific taxonomy
• Early Middle Pleistocene
• Biogeography
• M. Meridionalis
• Molar morphology
• M. trogontherii
• Mammuthus rumanus
• Late Early Pleistocene
• Mosaic forms

• All authors: Essen, J.A. van
• Supervisor: Kolfschoten, M. van
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Faculty of Archeology, Leiden University
• Date: 2011-12-08
• Court: LEI Universiteit Leiden