Loxodonta is a genus of elephants comprising two living species, the African bush elephant and the smaller African forest elephant, both social herbivores with grey skin distinguished from Asian elephants by the lozenge-shaped enamel of their molar teeth. The two species differ in tusk size and color and in the shape of their ears and skulls, and inhabit sub-Saharan Africa across habitats from Sahelian scrubland to tropical rainforest and miombo woodland, with the forest elephant restricted to Central and West Africa. As of 2021 the bush elephant is classified endangered and the forest elephant critically endangered.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Scientific Name Member Species/Taxa Count Geographic DistributionSub-Saharan Africa, including Sahelian scrubland 1 Defining CharacteristicsGenus name refers to the lozenge-shaped enamel of the molar teeth 1 Member Count Band Era First Appeared Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceGrey folded skin up to 30 mm thick 1 Classification
Living or Extinct Connections
Parent Taxon Of
Source Wikipedia: African bush elephant
Source African forest elephant (Wikipedia)
Source Loxodonta adaurora (Wikipedia)
Source Loxodonta atlantica (Wikipedia)
Source Loxodonta cookei (Wikipedia)
Source Loxodonta exoptata (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: African Elephant
WikipediaLead, first sentence, genus clause
African elephants are members of the genus Loxodonta
Lead, first sentence, name
the genus Loxodonta comprising two living elephant species
Lead, first sentence, species count
African elephants are members of the genus Loxodonta comprising two living elephant species
Distribution and habitat
African elephants are distributed in Sub-Saharan Africa, where they inhabit Sahelian scrubland
Lead, sentence on the name
The name refers to the lozenge-shaped enamel of their molar teeth
Skin, ears, and trunk
African elephants have grey folded skin up to 30 mm
View the Source 2. African elephant (Wikipedia)
3. Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank): Taxon metrics for Loxodonta
Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank)Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCountQuote, Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
"speciesExtantCount": 2
View the Source 4. Paleobiology Database: Taxon record for Loxodonta
Paleobiology DatabaseTaxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)Quote, Taxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)
"taxon_name": "Loxodonta" ... "firstapp_max_ma": 23.04 ... "early_interval": "Aquitanian"
View the Source Wikidata: Loxodonta
Wikidata Q185038, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source African forest elephant (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: African forest elephant, LeadQuote, Parent Taxon Of: African forest elephant, Lead
The African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) is an elephant species
View the Source Loxodonta atlantica (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Loxodonta atlantica, LeadQuote, Parent Taxon Of: Loxodonta atlantica, Lead
Loxodonta atlantica is an extinct species of elephant in the genus Loxodonta
View the Source Loxodonta adaurora (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Loxodonta adaurora, LeadQuote, Parent Taxon Of: Loxodonta adaurora, Lead
Loxodonta adaurora is an extinct species of elephant in the genus Loxodonta
View the Source Loxodonta exoptata (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Loxodonta exoptata, LeadQuote, Parent Taxon Of: Loxodonta exoptata, Lead
Loxodonta exoptata is an extinct species of elephant in the genus Loxodonta, from Africa
View the Source Loxodonta cookei (Wikipedia)
Parent Taxon Of: Loxodonta cookei, LeadQuote, Parent Taxon Of: Loxodonta cookei, Lead
Loxodonta cookei is an extinct species of African elephant
View the Source Wikipedia: African bush elephant
Parent Taxon Of: African Bush Elephant, LeadQuote, Parent Taxon Of: African Bush Elephant, Lead
The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), also known as the African savanna elephant, is a species of elephant
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