In Depth Kapi is a genus of gibbon that lived in India during the Miocene. Further reading New Middle Miocene Ape (Primates: Hylobatidae) from Ramnagar, India fills major gaps in the hominoid fossil record. - Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 287 (1934). - Christopher C. Gilbert, Alejandra Ortiz, Kelsey D. Pugh, Christopher J. Campisano, … Read more
In Depth Proconsul is a primate that seems to be stuck in transition between monkeys and apes. So far no tail has ever been found and the hands are more dexterous than monkeys, together suggesting a primitive ape lineage. The metacarpals however are curved and the postures of reconstructed individuals are more like those of … Read more
In Depth Pierolapithecus is one of the most important of the known prehistoric apes because it is widely regarded as the ancestral form to not only today’s apes, but also humans. To put this statement into its full context however, Pierolapithecus was not necessarily ‘the’ ancestor, but in terms of physical features, it displays a … Read more
In Depth Although not a very well-known prehistoric ape, Khoratpithecus has been regarded as being intermediate in form between Sivapithecus and the modern day genus Pongo, better known as the orangutan. For this reason there has been suggestion that Khoratpithecus might actually be the direct ancestor of orangutans. The species Khoratpithecus chiangmuanensis was established from … Read more
In Depth Like with Pliopithecus, the genus after which it was named, Propliopithecus was a gibbon-like ape that lived in Northeast Africa during the early Oligocene (back in this time Egypt had an extensive covering of vegetation unlike the arid desert conditions that we know today). Propliopithecus would have lived in the tree canopy where … Read more
In Depth Siamoadapis is a genus of small primate that lived in Thailand during the mid Miocene. Further Reading - First middle Miocene sivaladapid primate from Thailand. - Journal of Human Evolution 54 (3): 434–443. - Y. Chaimanee, C. Yamee, P. Tian, O. Chavasseau & J. -J. Jaeger - 2008.
In Depth For the first part of their taxonomic life, fossils of Lufengpithecus were actually known as Ramapithecus lufengensis (‘Rama ape from Lufeng). Between 1975 and 1976 however, much more complete fossils of Ramapithecus were recovered, but instead of allowing for more complete restoration of this ape they led to the realisation that the genus … Read more
In Depth Further Reading – On Megaladapis madagascariensis, an Extinct Gigantic Lemuroid from Madagascar; with Remarks on the Associated Fauna, and on Its Geological Age. – Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 185: 15–38. – C. I. F. major -1894. – Extinct Mammalia from Madagascar. I. Megaladapis insignis. – Philosophical Transactions of … Read more
In Depth What is termed a monkey-lemur, Archaeolemur seems to have been a generalist that could adapt to a range of different environments. This notion is supported by the comparatively large number of remains including sub-fossils (remains that have not yet completely fossilised) associated with this genus. Archaeolemur seemed to have lived upon the ground, … Read more
In Depth Comparable in size to a gorilla, Archaeoindris is one of the largest known sloth lemurs. Initially considered to have been a ground dwelling quadruped, further study has now led to the suggestions that Archaeoindris could have still climbed branches (albeit the thicker ones that could support its weight) as it foraged for food. … Read more