Proboscidean fossils and their microstructure (Summary)

Abstract

 The internal texture of the recent and fossil proboscidean teeth was examined from the view point of the tooth development and evolution. Several species of the fossil Proboscidea from Japanese Islands, including genus Gomphotherium, Eostegodon, Stegodon, Palaeoloxodon and Mammuthus, and two living species, Asian and African elephants were observed by means of optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.
 In observation, it was focused on the distribution and arrangement of the Hunter-Schreger’s bands in enamel concerning multi-layered enamel and the shape and size of the enamel prisms in relation to the phylogeny and the formation of the molar structure.