Elephas refers to a genus within the family Elephantidae, primarily known for the Asian elephant, *Elephas maximus*. This genus includes several extinct species and provides significant insight into the evolutionary history of elephants.
## Classification and Species
The scientific classification of *Elephas* is as follows:
- **Domain**: Eukaryota
- **Kingdom**: Animalia
- **Phylum**: Chordata
- **Class**: Mammalia
- **Order**: Proboscidea
- **Family**: Elephantidae
- **Tribe**: Elephantini
- **Genus**: Elephas Linnaeus, 1758
The only extant species of this genus is the Asian elephant, which has several recognized subspecies, including:
- *Elephas maximus indicus* (Indian elephant)
- *Elephas maximus maximus* (Sri Lankan elephant)
- *Elephas maximus sumatranus* (Sumatran elephant)
Additionally, *Elephas* encompasses numerous extinct species, some of which date back to the Pliocene or late Miocene periods. Notable extinct species include:
- *Elephas hysudricus*
- *Elephas planifrons*
- *Elephas beyeri* (a dwarf species)
## Evolutionary History
The genus *Elephas* has a rich fossil record that illustrates its evolutionary journey. The first description of the genus was made by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Over time, various species have been identified, contributing to our understanding of the diversity and adaptation of elephants throughout history.
The genus is distinct from the African elephants, which belong to a different genus called *Loxodonta*. Genetic studies have shown that *Elephas* and *Loxodonta* diverged from a common ancestor, leading to the current classification of these majestic creatures[3].
Citations:
[1] https://elephas.app
[2] https://elephas.com
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephas
[4] https://elephasprojector.com
[5] https://prod.danawa.com/info/?pcode=21626609
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