Turkanapithecus

Tur-ka-na-pif-e-cus.
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Cassidy Wood

Paleoentomologist

Cassidy Wood uncovers the tiny yet significant world of prehistoric insects. Her research on amber-preserved specimens has revealed intricate details about ancient ecosystems.

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Name

Turkanapithecus ‭(‬Turkana ape‭)‬.

Phonetic

Tur-ka-na-pif-e-cus.

Named By

Richard Leakey‭ & ‬Meave Leakey‭ ‬-‭ ‬1986.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Mammalia,‭ ‬Primates,‭ ‬catarrhines.

Diet

Herbivore.

Species

T.‭ ‬kalakolensis‭ (‬type‭)‬

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.

In Depth

       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.

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT