Oreopithecus bambolii


TAXONOMY:

MORPHOLOGY:
Oreopithecus bambolii had a dental formula of 2:1:2:3 on both the upper and lower jaws (Fleagle, 1988). This species has upper central incisors which are large and round and the lateral is peglike (Fleagle, 1988). The lower incisors of this species are narrow and spatulate (Fleagle, 1988). The canines of this species show sexual dimorphism with the males having tall upper and lower canines and the canines of the females being small (Fleagle, 1988). Females have lower premolars which are semimolariform (Fleagle, 1988). The molars show high shearing crests, and the upper molars are also long and narrow (Fleagle, 1988). The upper molars also have a lingual cingulum and a well-developed paraconule (Fleagle, 1988). The molars of this species were small as compared to the overall body size (Martin, 1990). This species has a small brain and a short snout and some individuals have a sagittal crest (Fleagle, 1988). This species has relatively long forelimbs and short hindlimbs, and it also has a relatively short trunk with a broad thorax (Fleagle, 1988). There was no tail on this species (Martin, 1990). This species had an average body mass of around 30.0 kilograms (Fleagle, 1988).

RANGE:
Oreopithecus bambolii lived on the continent of Europe, and was found in the country of Italy (Fleagle, 1988). This species occurred during the late Miocene (Fleagle, 1988).

DIET:
Based upon the dental morphology, the high shearing crests of the teeth, this was a folivorous species (Fleagle, 1988).

LOCOMOTION:
Based upon the postcranial remains this species most likely practiced suspensory behavior (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: November 16, 2001

[Primate Evolution] [Origins] [Tree-shrews] [Platyrrhine] [Taxonomy] [Distribution] [Links] [Definitions] [The Primata] [Email Me]