Turkanapithecus
Name:
Turkanapithecus
(Turkana ape).
Phonetic: Tur-ka-na-pif-e-cus.
Named By: Richard Leakey & Meave Leakey
- 1986.
Classification: Chordata, Mammalia, Primates,
catarrhines.
Species: T. kalakolensis (type).
Diet: Herbivore.
Size: Uncertain but estimated to be under 20
kilograms.
Known locations: Kenya, Lake Turkana.
Time period: Burdigalian of the Miocene.
Fossil representation: Facial portion of the skull
as well as additional post cranial remains of the arms and leg bones.
Although not very well known, Turkanapithecus appears to be similar to other prehistoric primates like Proconsul and Afropithecus. Turkanapithecus is named after the Turkana Lake region of Kenya, with the type species name meaning ‘from Kalakol’ after the Kalakol river where it was found.
Further reading
- A second new Miocene hominoid from Kenya. - Nature 324(13):146-148. -
R. E. Leakey & M. G. Leakey - 1986.
- Morphology of Turkanapithecus kalakolensis from Kenya. - American
Journal of Physical Anthropology vol 76, issue 3 - R. E. Leakey M. G.
Leakey & Dr. A. C. Walker - 1988.
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