The tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa are home to the African forest elephant. For a long time, this animal was considered a smaller version of the savanna elephant, but scientific understanding has evolved. The forest elephant’s unique characteristics and genetic makeup have established it as a distinct species, and its scientific name tells the story of its recognition by the scientific community.
The Scientific Name and Its Meaning
The scientific name for the African forest elephant is Loxodonta cyclotis. This name was proposed in 1900 by German zoologist Paul Matschie, who identified differences in skulls found in Cameroon. A scientific name is composed of two parts, and each part of this name describes a specific physical feature.
The first part, Loxodonta, is the genus name that the forest elephant shares with its cousin, the African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana). This term translates to “lozenge-shaped tooth,” referring to the diamond-shaped pattern of enamel visible on the chewing surfaces of their large molars. This dental characteristic is common to both species.
The second part of the name, cyclotis, is the specific epithet that distinguishes the forest elephant. This word means “circular ear,” a direct reference to the animal’s noticeably rounder ears compared to the larger ears of the savanna elephant. This name captures one of the most visible differences between the two animals.
Reclassification as a Distinct Species
For much of the 20th century, the African forest elephant was classified as a subspecies of the African elephant, known as Loxodonta africana cyclotis. Scientists had long noted physical and behavioral differences that went beyond what might be expected from a subspecies, prompting deeper investigation into their genetic relationship.
In the early 2000s, DNA analysis provided clear evidence that the two types of African elephants were more distinct than previously thought. Genetic studies revealed that the forest and savanna elephant lineages diverged approximately 2.6 to 5.6 million years ago. This significant evolutionary separation indicates they have been on separate paths for a very long time.
This genetic data led the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to reclassify the African forest elephant as a distinct species, Loxodonta cyclotis, in 2021. This decision elevated cyclotis from a subspecies descriptor to a full species name. The change also resulted in the forest elephant being listed as Critically Endangered.
Distinguishing Physical Characteristics
The reclassification is supported by clear physical differences when compared to the African bush elephant. These traits go beyond simple size variation, reflecting the species’ long-term adaptation to a dense forest environment.
- They have a smaller stature, typically reaching a shoulder height of around 2.4 meters (8 feet), whereas savanna elephants can stand 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 feet) tall.
- Their tusks are characteristically straighter and point downwards, an adaptation for moving through thick undergrowth without getting entangled. The ivory is also denser and sometimes has a pinkish hue.
- The ears are more rounded and oval-shaped, in contrast to the ears of the savanna elephant, which are larger and shaped somewhat like the African continent.
- They have five toenails on their front feet and four on their hind feet, while the savanna elephant typically has four and three, respectively.