Afropithecus turkanensis
TAXONOMY:
- suborder: Haplorrhini
- infraorder: Catarrhini
- superfamily: Hominoidea
- family: incertae sedis
MORPHOLOGY:
Afropithecus turkanensis has a dental formula of 2:1:2:3 on both the upper and lower jaw (Fleagle, 1988). This species has robust, procumbant incisors, small, rounded, tusk-like canines, and broad upper premolars (Fleagle, 1988). The teeth of this species possess a thick enamel (Martin, 1990). This species have relatively small orbits, broad interorbital distance, and a long and narrow snout (Fleagle, 1988). This species had an average body mass of around 50 kilograms (Fleagle, 1988). This species resembles Sivapithecus and may be related (Martin, 1990).
RANGE:
Afropithecus turkanensis was found on the continent of Africa, in the countries of Kenya and Uganda and occurred during the middle Miocene (Fleagle, 1988).
REFERENCES:
Fleagle, J.G. 1988. Primate Adaptation and Evolution. Academic Press: New York.
Martin, R.D. 1990. Primate Origins and Evolution: A Phylogenetic Reconstruction. Princeton University Press: Princeton, New Jersey.
Last updated: January 24, 2002
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