Barytherium grave

Overview

Barytherium grave was an early elephant relative known from North Africa. A deep lower jaw, robust limbs, and incisors pointing in different directions attract attention. It reveals an ancient proboscidean body unlike that of modern elephants.^[1]

Key facts

Its incisors did not all point in the same direction. Descriptions show lower incisors extending forward and upper incisors downward. Considering both jaws together reveals a combination unlike familiar elephant tusks.^[1]

Time and place

It is associated with late Eocene to early Oligocene material around 35–30 million years ago. It is known from the Qasr el-Sagha Formation in the Fayum of present-day Egypt and Dor el-Talha in Libya. Several North African localities connect the history of early elephant relatives.^[1]

The time range describes source context, not the complete duration of this species.

Size, form and skeleton

The eye sockets lie toward the front of the skull, and the lower jaw is deep. A robust humerus and forelimb and hind limb structures have been studied. A 2010 publication estimated a large animal about 2–3 m high at the shoulder and about 3–4 tonnes in mass.^[1]

Habitat and reproduction

In 2010, researchers proposed that the cheek teeth suited simple slicing and may have processed plants such as leaves. A semiaquatic hypothesis was also proposed for Barytherium from nearshore occurrences and body form. This research considers teeth, limbs, and the fossil environment together.^[1]

Fossil discovery

After discovery in the Fayum, this group was initially assigned to a different mammal group. Andrews moved it to Proboscidea in 1906, and additional Libyan fossils clarified that relationship. A new locality’s discoveries prompted a fresh view of its family tree.^[1]

References

1. Proboscidea, chapter15
2. Sanders et al.2010 — Barytherium and early proboscideans
3. Sanders et al.2010 — Palaeomastodon and early proboscideans

Research questions

When did elephant relatives’ bodies begin to resemble those of today? Researchers compare eye sockets, nasal bones, lower jaws, incisors, and limbs among early proboscideans. Considering combinations of features rather than one or two traits helps reveal the group’s varied lives.^[1]

Observation

Examine the directions of the upper and lower incisors at the front of the lower jaw. Then move your gaze to the robust supporting limbs to see a different early proboscidean body plan.^[1]