Morotopithecus
Name:
Morotopithecus
(Moroto ape).
Phonetic: Mo-roe-toe-pif-e-cus.
Named By: D. L. Gebo, L. MacLatchy, R.
Kityo, A. Deino, J. Kingston & D. Pilbeam -
1997.
Classification: Chordata, Mamamlia, Primates,
Hominoidea.
Species: M. bishopi (type).
Diet: Herbivore.
Size: Unavailable.
Known locations: Uganda, Moroto.
Time period: Aquitanian of the Miocene.
Fossil representation: Partial remains including
teeth and vertebrae.
The
discovery of Morotopithecus has necessitated a
rethink in our
understanding of primate and ape evolution. The confusion here all
stems down to the fact that fossils of Morotopithecus
indicate that it
was more advanced than forms such as Afropithecus
and Kenyapithecus
and yet it appeared well before these other genera in the early
Miocene. Morotopithecus is also considered to be
more advanced than
Proconsul,
although there are remains of this genus from slightly
earlier times than Morotopithecus, even though
Proconsul is generally
considered to not be an ancestor to apes anymore. Morotopithecus
might be part of a sister group to the great apes, although at this
time much more study, hopefully fuelled by new fossil discoveries,
needs to take place to allow for a much greater insight into the
matter.
Comparison
between the teeth of Morotopithecus and Afropithecus
has led to
identification into similarities between the two as well as light
speculation that they may be the same. However the majority of other
palaeoprimatologists continue to regard Morotopithecus
as a distinct
genus at this time, due mainly to fact that it is currently
impossible to do a complete comparison between multiple body features.
Further reading
- A hominoid genus from the
early Miocene of Uganda. - Science 276:401-404. - D. L. Gebo, L.
MacLatchy, R. Kityo, A. Deino, J. Kingston & D. Pilbeam - 1997.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Random favourites
 |
 |
 |