Limnopithecus legetet


TAXONOMY:

MORPHOLOGY:
Limnopithecus legetet had a dental formula of 2:1:2:3 on both the upper and lower jaw (Fleagle, 1988). The central incisors of this species were broad and large (Conroy, 1990). The canines of this species are well-developed (Conroy, 1990). The upper canines lacked double mesial grooves and were rounded (Conroy, 1990). The lower third premolar was triangular in shape (Conroy, 1990). The molars had cusps that were low and rounded (Conroy, 1990). The lower molars had distinct buccal cingula and the upper molars had distinct lingual cingula (Conroy, 1990). The lower molars increase in size from the first to the third (Conroy, 1990). The maxillary sinus of this species is long and narrow (Conroy, 1990). This species had a mandibular symphysis which had a superior transverse torus (Conroy, 1990). This species had an average body mass of around 5.0 kilograms (Fleagle, 1988).

RANGE:
Limnopithecus legetet lived on the continent of Africa and occurred during the early to middle Miocene (Fleagle, 1988).

DIET:
Based upon dental morphology this was a frugivorous species (Fleagle, 1988).

LOCOMOTION:
Based upon postcranial remains this species was most likely an arboreal quadruped (Fleagle, 1988).

REFERENCES:
Conroy, G.C. 1990. Primate Evolution. W.W. Norton and Co.: New York.

Fleagle, J.G. 1988. Primate Adaptation and Evolution. Academic Press: New York.

Last updated: November 14, 2001

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