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Review
. 2016 Sep;10(3):332-5.
doi: 10.1007/s12105-016-0704-y. Epub 2016 Feb 26.

Ivory Harvesting Pressure on the Genome of the African Elephant: A Phenotypic Shift to Tusklessness

Erich J Raubenheimer  1 , Hilde D Miniggio  2
Affiliations
Review

Ivory Harvesting Pressure on the Genome of the African Elephant: A Phenotypic Shift to Tusklessness

Erich J Raubenheimer et al. Head Neck Pathol. 2016 Sep.

Abstract

The unique chequered pattern of elephant ivory has made it a desired commodity for the production of various works of art. The demand however outstrips the supply and with soaring prices, illegal tusk harvesting is thriving on the African continent. Formal restrictions placed on trade in elephant products have been ineffective in reversing the rapid decline in elephant numbers. We are presently facing the reality of extinction of free roaming elephant on the African continent. This paper describes the histogenesis of the chequered pattern, the genomic impact of ivory harvesting on the phenotype of breeding herds, and the contribution of science to tracing the origin of illegal ivory.

Keywords: African elephant; Dentin; Ivory; Tusklessness.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A right tusked elephant cow identified by the notch in the ivory (arrow) which is the result of abrasion caused by branches which are clamped with the trunk over the tip of the tusk and ripped off the tree during browsing
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Polished surface of a cross section through a tusk showing the chequered pattern of ivory. The arrows indicate the outer sheath of cementum
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Polished surface of a sagittal section through a tusk demonstrating the parallel and alternating light and dark bands in the ivory. The peripheral cementum sheath is towards the top of the image
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Microscopic appearance of the regular sweeping sinusoidal curve followed by the odontoblastic tubules. The dark bands represent the posteriorly directed sector of the curve where the tubules are closer packed. The outer sheath of cementum is towards the top of the image (unstained section ×200)
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Scanning electron micrograph of the pulpal openings of odontoblastic tubules. Note the anterior-to-posterior flattening of the tubules which is the result of odontoblastic compression due to crowding during their centripetal course
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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