Pronothodectes gaoi
TAXONOMY:
- order: Plesiadapiformes
- superfamily: Plesiadapoidea
- family: Plesiadapidae
MORPHOLOGY:
Pronothodectes gaoi had a dental formula of 2:1:3:3 on both the upper and lower jaw (Fleagle, 1988). Members of this genus had procumbent lower incisors and premolars and molars with low crowns (Fleagle, 1988). The upper incisors had a large posterocone towards the back (Conroy, 1990). Pronothodectes gaoi had an average body mass of 153 grams (Fleagle, 1999).
RANGE:
Pronothodectes gaoi was found in Western North America (Fleagle, 1988). This genus occurred during the middle-late Paleocene (Fleagle, 1988, 1999).
DIET:
Based upon the molars and premolars having low crowns, members of this genus most likely had a omnivorous diet (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.
Fleagle, J.G. 1999. Primate Adaptation and Evolution. Academic Press: San Diego.
Last updated: November 21, 2002
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