First true mastodon from the Late Miocene of Iran

Abstract

Abstract A mammutid is described here for the first time from the Late Miocene (MN12 equivalent) deposits of Abkhareh village, Varzeghan region, in the North-Western part of Iran. It is identified as “Mammut” cf. obliquelophus and is represented by an isolated and moderately worn upper third molar with a zygodont crown pattern typical of mammutids. In addition, two upper incisors found associated with the molar and probably belonging to the same individual are assigned as Mammut. The studied material expands the geographic distribution of “Mammut” obliquelophus into Western Asia.

Keywords

• Mammutids
• Mammut praetypicum
• MN12
• Proboscideans
• Late Miocene
• Varzeghan