Dental microwear variation in complete molars of Loxodonta africana and Elephas maximus

Abstract

Dental microwear analysis is an important addition to the field of paleoecology, and has proven useful for inferring dietary preferences in extant and extinct species. New techniques involving the use of low-magnification light microscopy have become very popular for use with large specimens that pose logistical problems for analysis with traditional scanning electron microscopy. In this study, the dental microwear of two complete molars from the extant elephants, Loxodonta africana and Elephas maximus was examined using low magnification light microscopy. The African elephant molar had a higher percentage of scratches versus pits when compared to the Asian elephant. Previous studies on elephant teeth have examined only a sample area of each lamella, and based on this study, much variation is present within a single molar from anterior to posterior lamellae as well from buccal to lingual sides of these plates, and so analysis of a sample area of enamel may not be providing consistent information on diet preference.