 Considering its highly adapted folivorous jaw and tooth structure, "Phosphatherium" provides evidence of the high age of African endemism.The dental structure of "Phosphatherium" suggests its diet consisted mainly of leaves, which indicates it may have fulfilled a niche role in its environment, although diet can only be inferred.The discovery of this animal has ultimately helped reinforce the African origin of proboscideans, and provide insight into the radiation of modern orders of placental mammals.