painshill 838 Posted June 8, 2012 In articles about mammoths, I frequently see references to: "mammoth species can be identified by counting the number of ridges on the first 4 inches of the chewing surface of the tooth". In fact everyone seems to be quoting from the same unspecified source. Does anyone know what that source is, whether the statement is actually true and if so... what the relationship might be??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kosmoceras 225 Posted June 8, 2012 (edited) I have heard this too but have never been able to test it out not have a complete tooth. Thanks for posting this topic, a question I too am seeking the answer. Edited June 8, 2012 by Kosmoceras Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fruitbat 1,678 Posted June 12, 2012 The unspecified source is probably H.F. Osborn's famous monograph on the Proboscidea (published posthumously in 1936 and 1942). In it, he uses a count of the number of ridge plates per tooth, the number of ridge plates per 100mm, and other characteristics to separate the species of Proboscidea (including Mammuthus). While many of the species he erected have since been discarded or synonomized, and some point out that there can be considerable overlap in ridge counts, etc., Osborn's monograph(s) are still the most comprehensive attempts to date to use morphological features to classify elephants to the specific level. Joe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
painshill 838 Posted June 12, 2012 The unspecified source is probably H.F. Osborn's famous monograph on the Proboscidea (published posthumously in 1936 and 1942). In it, he uses a count of the number of ridge plates per tooth, the number of ridge plates per 100mm, and other characteristics to separate the species of Proboscidea (including Mammuthus). While many of the species he erected have since been discarded or synonomized, and some point out that there can be considerable overlap in ridge counts, etc., Osborn's monograph(s) are still the most comprehensive attempts to date to use morphological features to classify elephants to the specific level. Joe Joe I think the only thing more impressive than the depth of your knowledge is the unassuming modesty with which you share it. [i managed to find Osborn's monograph as a pdf here (feel free to add it to your splendid library): http://archive.org/download/proboscideamonog01osbo/proboscideamonog01osbo.pdf Anyone else who might be interested, be forewarned that it's a whopping 86.1MB download] Thanks again Roger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fruitbat 1,678 Posted June 16, 2012 (edited) Roger...my distinct pleasure. I thought I had a link to the Osborn monographs in my PDF Library but I don't. I'll remedy THAT situation ASAP! -Joe Edited June 16, 2012 by Fruitbat Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
briman 2 Posted June 22, 2012 Roger, Joe, you are both assets to this forum. I just wonder how Joe manages to be both modest and Texan? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
