Stegolophodon is an extinct genus of stegodontidproboscideans. It lived during the Miocene epoch in Asia.[1][2][3][4][5] The earliest fossils are known from the Early Miocene, with one of the oldest fossils being from Japan, estimated to be 17.3 million years old. It is suggested to be the ancestor of Stegodon, and transitional fossils between the two genera known from the Late Miocene of Southeast Asia and Yunnan in South China. Like modern elephants, Stegolophodon developed proal jaw movement, where the lower jaw moves in a back-to-front motion, rather than the oblique chewing motion used by earlier proboscideans, with this development already present by 17.3 million years ago.[6] Members of the genus generally have tetralophodont molars, and retain tusks on the lower jaw. The upper tusks have an enamel band.[7]
^Youping Zhang, Yuzhu Long, Hongxiang Ji, Suyin Ding, Translated by Will Downs Bilby Research Center, Northern Arizona University March (November 1999) [1989]. "The Cenozoic Deposits of the Yunnnan Region"(PDF). Professional Papers on Stratigraphy and Paleontology No. 7, Geological Publishing House, Peking, China, Pp. 1-21.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
