9311709 Brooks The evolution of large savanna mammals, such as pigs, horses, and bovids, relates to the human story as both environmental and time/strategraphy indicators. This proposal will focus on one of the most prevalent large mammals commonly associated with hominids, the African Elephant lineage. This study will assess the variation in Elephas recki in order to describe the pattern of evolution seen in this fossil lineage, and will examine its utility as an indicator for early hominid sites. The goal is to study how elephants reflect the long term response of African ecosystems to changing biotic conditions, of which early human ancestors were a critical part. It will also involve advanced training of a graduate student. ***
