Microcolobus tugenensis
TAXONOMY:
- suborder: Haplorrhini
- infraorder: Catarrhini
- superfamily: Cercopithecoidea
- family: Cercopithecidae
- subfamily: Colobinae
MORPHOLOGY:
Microcolobus tugenensis had a dental formula of 2:1:2:3 on both the upper and lower jaws (Fleagle, 1988). This species has slightly lower molar cusps as compared to other colobines and also has more crushing surfaces on the lower premolars (Fleagle, 1988). This species had an average body mass of around 4.0 kilograms (Fleagle, 1988).
RANGE:
Microcolobus tugenensis was found on the continent of Africa during the late Miocene epoch (Fleagle, 1988).
DIET:
Based upon the dental morphology this species was probably less folivorous than other colobines (Fleagle, 1988).
REFERENCES:
Fleagle, J.G. 1988. Primate Adaptation and Evolution. Academic Press: New York.
Last updated: November 16, 2001
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