Comments on the article by E.N. Mashchenko «Evolution of the elephants of the mammoth lineage in the Northern Caucasus (Russia) in the Pliocene and Pleistocene»

Abstract

The holotype of the recently described new species of mammuthoid elephant Archidiskodon garutti Mashchenko, 2010, contrary to the stated provenance from the Sablya locality, actually comes from Novotroitskaya site lacking age control. The published diagnostic features of this form collectively based on the holotype and additional material with more advanced characters from the locality Sablya (MN17) have no biological and biostratigraphic significance. The Sablya elephant material shows a close correspondence to A. meridionalis gromovi from the Middle Villafranchian (MN17) Khapry faunas of the Lower Don area. The concept of A. m. gromovi as a primitive chronoform of the southern elephant is confirmed by the morphometric features and biostratigraphic position of the type material from Liventsovka and Khapry. Archidiskodon garutti, being an isolated find without external age control, can be regarded as a form of doubtful taxonomic position. This form (based solely on the holotype) shows primitive dental features and may be considered a junior synonym of “Mammuthus rumanus”. It does not in any way affect the validity of A. meridionalis gromovi.