Much of what we know about the origins of anthropoids comes from Fayoum, Egypt. Three families of anthropoids have been identified at Fayoum: Parapithecidae, Oligopithecidae, and Propliopithecidae. The ones we are going to talk about are dated 33 million years ago. They all have various species. In addition they are being compared to or recognized to have characteristics of Old World, New World, and Modern World traits.
Parapithecids are divided into four genera and eight species. They were dated to be here 30 million years ago.The largest Parapithecids were the size of guenons which was 6.5 pounds and the smallest of marmosets which was about 5 pounds. They had the primitive dental formula 2.1.3.3/2.1.3.3, which has been retained in New World …show more content…
These primates had the same dental formulas as modern Old World monkeys and apes, but they lack other derived features associated with Old World monkeys. The largest and most famous of the propliopithecids is named Aegyptopithecuszeuxis, who is known from several skulls and number of postcranial bones. Aegyptopithecuszeuxis was a medium size monkey perhaps as big as a female howler monkey which was 13 pounds. It was a diurnal, arboreal quadruped with a relatively small brain. The shape and size of the teeth suggest that it ate mainly fruit. Males were much larger than females, indicating that they probably did not live in pair bonded groups. Other Propliopithecids were smaller than Aegyptopithecuszeuxis, but their teeth suggest that they also ate fruit, as well as seeds and perhaps gum. They too were probably arboreal quadruped with strong grasping feet. Modern Old World monkeys and apes may have been derived from members of this family(Boyd and …show more content…
Its dental morphology suggests that it ate fruit and leaves. When first discovered there was much debate about the relationship of the oligopithecids to other early anthropoids. Some believe that Oligopithecus is one of the basal anthropoids, preceding the platyrrhine (New World monkey) catarrhine (Old World monkey) split. Others claim the oligopithecids are related to propliopithecids and still others suggest that they are the intermediary between the parapithecids and propliopithecids. In the mid-1990s, researchers proposed that Oliogopithecus is a form of early catarrhine whose teeth were changing to accommodate an insectivorous diet(fleagle 2008). Their dental formula was 2:1:2:3 on the lower jaw. They were here 31 million years ago. Oldest Fayum primates, share primitive features with Eocene
Parapithecids are divided into four genera and eight species. They were dated to be here 30 million years ago.The largest Parapithecids were the size of guenons which was 6.5 pounds and the smallest of marmosets which was about 5 pounds. They had the primitive dental formula 2.1.3.3/2.1.3.3, which has been retained in New World …show more content…
These primates had the same dental formulas as modern Old World monkeys and apes, but they lack other derived features associated with Old World monkeys. The largest and most famous of the propliopithecids is named Aegyptopithecuszeuxis, who is known from several skulls and number of postcranial bones. Aegyptopithecuszeuxis was a medium size monkey perhaps as big as a female howler monkey which was 13 pounds. It was a diurnal, arboreal quadruped with a relatively small brain. The shape and size of the teeth suggest that it ate mainly fruit. Males were much larger than females, indicating that they probably did not live in pair bonded groups. Other Propliopithecids were smaller than Aegyptopithecuszeuxis, but their teeth suggest that they also ate fruit, as well as seeds and perhaps gum. They too were probably arboreal quadruped with strong grasping feet. Modern Old World monkeys and apes may have been derived from members of this family(Boyd and …show more content…
Its dental morphology suggests that it ate fruit and leaves. When first discovered there was much debate about the relationship of the oligopithecids to other early anthropoids. Some believe that Oligopithecus is one of the basal anthropoids, preceding the platyrrhine (New World monkey) catarrhine (Old World monkey) split. Others claim the oligopithecids are related to propliopithecids and still others suggest that they are the intermediary between the parapithecids and propliopithecids. In the mid-1990s, researchers proposed that Oliogopithecus is a form of early catarrhine whose teeth were changing to accommodate an insectivorous diet(fleagle 2008). Their dental formula was 2:1:2:3 on the lower jaw. They were here 31 million years ago. Oldest Fayum primates, share primitive features with Eocene