Sivapithecus sivalensis


TAXONOMY:

This species was formerly known as Sivapithecus indicus and as Ramapithecus punjabicus and as Dryopithecus punjabicus. Also this species of Sivapithecus is sometimes placed into the genus Dryopithecus.

MORPHOLOGY:
Sivapithecus sivalensis had a dental formula of 2:1:2:3 on both the upper and lower jaw (Fleagle, 1988). The cheek teeth of this species had thick enamel (Fleagle, 1988). The molars lacked a cingula in this species (Fleagle, 1988). The cusps of the molars were also low in this species (Fleagle, 1988). The lower premolars of this species were broad and the canines were robust (Fleagle, 1988). This species had a mandible that was thick (Fleagle, 1988). This species had an average body mass of around 58.0 kilograms (Fleagle, 1988).

RANGE:
Sivapithecus sivalensis was found on the continent of Asia and occurred during the late Miocene (Fleagle, 1988).

DIET:
Based upon the dental morphology this species was a frugivore that ate fruits with hard pits (Fleagle, 1988).

REFERENCES:
Fleagle, J.G. 1988. Primate Adaptation and Evolution. Academic Press: New York.

Last updated: November 15, 2001

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