Tetralophodon

Tetralophodon is an extinct genus of gomphothere, a group of extinct elephant relatives, that lived during the Miocene epoch. The genus was first described in 1940 by American paleontologist Harold Cook. Tetralophodon is known from fossils found in North America and Asia. These animals were relatively large, with some species estimated to be around 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall at the shoulder.

The most distinctive feature of Tetralophodon, and the characteristic that gives it its name, are the four cross-lophs on its molars. Lophs are the ridges on the chewing surface of teeth. In Tetralophodon, these lophs were well-developed and formed a distinct pattern, aiding in the grinding of plant material. Their diet likely consisted of grasses, leaves, and other vegetation.

Fossil evidence suggests Tetralophodon was a widespread animal. Its presence in both North America and Asia indicates it may have migrated between continents or that the continents were connected during its time. The exact phylogenetic relationships of Tetralophodon within the gomphotheres are still debated by paleontologists, but it is generally considered to be part of the trilophodont subfamily. The extinction of Tetralophodon, like many other proboscideans, is likely linked to climate change and habitat shifts that occurred towards the end of the Miocene.