Tetralophodon, Falconer, 1857

Tassy, Pascal, 2005, Proboscideans (Mammalia) from the late Miocene of Akkaşdağı, Turkey, Geodiversitas 27 (4), pp. 707-714 : 711-712

“ Tetralophodon ” atticus ( Wagner, 1857)

MATERIAL. — Left Dp3 (AK5-454).

DESCRIPTION ( FIG. 7 )

The left upper third deciduous premolar (Dp3) AK5-454 ( Fig. 7 ) belongs to an elephantoid of tetralophodont grade: it shows three lophs and a postcingulum, with a posterolingual enlargement, characterizing Dp3s. Although the lophs are slightly compressed anteroposteriorly, the median sulcus is still present separating large pretrite halflophs and smaller posttrite halflophs. The first loph is narrow and the tooth is enlarged on the lingual side at the level of the second interloph, two traits which are also known on Dp3s of tetralophodont elephantoids. The enamel is wrinkled (a character of a milk tooth). As in “ Tetralophodon ” atticus and gomphotheres in general, the trefoil pattern is preserved, in contrast to Choerolophodon pentelici . The pretrite trefoil of the second loph comprised a distinct anterior pretrite central conule on the anterior side of the “hypocone” (aprcc2) and a posterior posttrite central conule on the posterior side of the “metacone” (ppocc2). In the first interloph the aprcc2 connects to the labial anterior cusp (“paracone”).In the second interloph the ppocc2 connects to the anterior pretrite central conule of the third loph. This alternating contact between half sides of successive lophs is a derived trait, characteristic of advanced gomphotheres and elephants. Distinct buds on the posttrite part of the second and third lophs can be interpreted as posttrite conules.

Every character described on this Dp3 matches with the known Dp3s of “ Tetralophodon ” atticus (holotype from Pikermi described by Wagner [1857 s, and referred juvenile palate described by Gaudry F Lartet [1856s and Gaudry [1862 s who confused it with Choerolophodon pentelici ).

Although the allocation of the binomen Mastodon atticus Wagner, 1857 to the genus Tetralophodon Falconer, 1857 is tentative (see Discussion below [and also Tassy 1985 s), there is no doubt that this rare tetralophodont species is distinct from the rather common C. pentelici .

Measurements (mm): length = 58.7, width = 42.4 (third loph), height = 25.4 (second loph, pretrite side).

Figures

FIG. 7. — “Tetralophodon” atticus (Wagner, 1857), left upper third deciduous premolar (Dp3) AK5-454, Akkaşdağı, Turolian, occlusal view. Scale bar: 1 cm. Photo D. Serrette (MNHN).