{"product_id":"elephants-and-their-fossil-relatives-a-60-million-year-journey","title":"Elephants and Their Fossil Relatives: A 60 Million Year Journey","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe ultimate illustrated guide to elephants and their prehistoric relatives\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eToday, only three species of elephants survive--the African savanna elephant (\u003ci\u003eLoxodonta africana\u003c\/i\u003e), the African forest elephant (\u003ci\u003eLoxodonta cyclotis\u003c\/i\u003e), and the Asian elephant (\u003ci\u003eElephas maximus\u003c\/i\u003e). However, these modern giants represent just a fraction of the vast and diverse order Proboscidea, which includes not only living elephants but also their many extinct relatives. Over the past 60 million years, proboscideans have evolved and adapted across five continents, giving rise to an astonishing variety of forms, from the massive, woolly-coated mammoths of the Ice Age to the diminutive, island-dwelling dwarf elephants. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThis book offers a comprehensive exploration of proboscidean biology and evolutionary history, shedding light on the remarkable diversity of these extraordinary mammals. It delves into the anatomical characteristics of every known species, from the towering steppe mammoth (\u003ci\u003eMammuthus trogontherii\u003c\/i\u003e) and the shovel-tusked \u003ci\u003eAmebelodon\u003c\/i\u003e to the semi-aquatic \u003ci\u003eMoeritherium\u003c\/i\u003e and the enigmatic \u003ci\u003eDeinotherium\u003c\/i\u003e. Readers will discover how these creatures developed an array of specialized adaptations, including variations in tusk shape and function, highly flexible trunks suited for different feeding strategies, and unique dental structures that allowed them to process a wide range of vegetation. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAccompanied by stunning illustrations by Shu-yu Hsu, \u003ci\u003eElephants and Their Fossil Relatives\u003c\/i\u003e brings these ancient giants back to life, offering a visually captivating and scientifically rigorous journey through their evolutionary past. Whether you are a paleontology enthusiast, a student of evolutionary biology, or a researcher in the field, this book serves as an indispensable reference for understanding one of the most extraordinary groups of animals ever to walk the earth.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrings together all known elephant species and their fossil relatives in a single volume for the first time\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCovers more than 230 extinct species ranging in size from creatures no larger than a chihuahua to colossal giants weighing up to three times the mass of modern elephants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeatures hundreds of stunning full-color illustrations and cutting-edge 3D reconstructions--many restored for the first time\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDelves into the biology and behavior of modern elephants, answering key questions about their anatomy, behavior, and profound impact on human culture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDraws on groundbreaking studies of ancient proteins, isotopes, and DNA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA must-have for elephant lovers everywhere\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Princeton University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50241841463653,"sku":"9780691183770","price":39.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0852\/0538\/5573\/files\/imageloader_c0445944-9cab-4f63-8b1d-f241a65b8ae1.jpg?v=1778881702","url":"https:\/\/paralleluniversebooks.com\/products\/elephants-and-their-fossil-relatives-a-60-million-year-journey","provider":"Parallel Universe Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}