Loxodonta exoptata

Loxodonta exoptata is an extinct species of elephant in the genus Loxodonta, from Africa. A 2009 study suggested that Loxodonta exoptata gave rise to L. atlantica, which gave rise to L. africana.^[1] The molars of L. exoptata are distinguished from later loxodonts by the lower plate number and their specialized enamel loops.^[2] Fossil remains of L. exoptata have been found at Pliocene sites in eastern Africa including Hadar, Laetoli and Koobi Fora.^[2]

Loxodonta exoptata Temporal range: Pliocene
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Proboscidea
Family:	Elephantidae
Genus:	Loxodonta
Species:	†L. exoptata
Binomial name
†Loxodonta exoptata (Dietrich, 1941)