アメベロドン科

Also known as Amebelodontid, Amebelodontids

Amebelodontidae is an extinct family of large herbivorous proboscidean mammals related to elephants. They were formerly assigned to Gomphotheriidae, but recent authors consider them a distinct family. They are distinguished from other proboscideans by having flattened lower tusks (leading to the nickname "shovel tuskers") and very elongate mandibular symphysis (the fused frontmost part of the lower jaw). The lower tusks could grow to considerable size, with those of Konobelodon reaching in length. Their molar teeth are typically trilophodont (with only Konobelodon being fully tetralophodont),