| Loxodonta exoptata Temporal range: Pliocene |
|
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Proboscidea |
| Family: | Elephantidae |
| Genus: | Loxodonta |
| Species: | †L. exoptata |
| Binomial name | |
| †Loxodonta exoptata (Dietrich, 1941) |
|
Loxodonta exoptata is an extinct species of elephant in the Loxodonta genus, from Africa. A 2009 study suggested that Loxodonta exoptata gave rise to L. antlantica, which gave rise to L. africana.[1] The molars of L. exoptata are distinguished from later Loxodonts by the lower plate number and their specialized enamel loops.[2] Fossil remains of L. exoptata have been found at Pliocene sites in eastern Africa including Laetoli and Koobi Fora.[2]