An
interesting fact about the elephant is its
evolutionary history. Despite the fact that it is by far the largest
extant land mammal and is a wonderfully successful animal
1, its
phylogenetic tree is relatively
barren. While the
rhinoceros and the
hippopotamus are both large herbivores that live in the same region as the
African elephant, the nearest relative to the elephant is the
hyrax.
The hyrax (family Procavidae, 14 species)is a small mammal which resembles a rabbit, but has tiny hooves on the end of each toe. The 14 species divide into two groups: the genus Procavia, which include the ground dwelling (so-called rock hyraxes) species; and the genus Dendrohyrax which are arboreal.
Biologists believe that the hyrax is closely related to the elephant due to the configuration and articulation of the feet of both species. Despite the radical difference in size and appearance, all the skeletal evidence suggests a relatively close evolutionary link between the two.
1That is, when we're not decimating the population in our disgusting desire for ivory.