Gigantopithecus blacki


TAXONOMY:

MORPHOLOGY:
Gigantopithecus blacki has a dental formula of 2:1:2:3 on the lower jaw, an upper jaw has not been found for this species (Fleagle, 1988). This species has lower incisors that are small and vertical and canines that are relatively short and thick (Fleagle, 1988). This species has a lower anterior premolar that is relatively broad (Fleagle, 1988). This species has teeth with a thick enamel and cusps which are low and flat, and the teeth often have accessory cusps (Fleagle, 1988). The mandible of this species is very thick and deep (Fleagle, 1988). This species had an average body mass of around 300.0 kilograms (Fleagle, 1988).

RANGE:
Gigantopithecus blacki lived on the continent of Asia, and was found in the countries of China and Vietnam (Fleagle, 1988). This species occurred during the Pleistocene epoch (Fleagle, 1988).

DIET:
Based upon the jaw and teeth morphology this species probably foraged on hard, fibrous material (Conroy, 1990).

LOCOMOTION:
Based upon the estimated body mass this species was most likely a terrestrial quadruped much like the extant species Gorilla gorilla (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 16, 2001

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