Smilodectes gracilis


TAXONOMY:

MORPHOLOGY:
Smilodectes gracilis had a dental formula of 2:1:4:3 on both the upper and lower jaw (Fleagle, 1988). This species had a relatively short snout and rounded frontal bone as compared to other notharctines (Fleagle, 1988). This species lacked symphyseal fusion (Martin, 1990). This species had comparatively reduced olfactory bulbs and a more expanded visual cortex, and this suggests that this was a diurnal species (Fleagle, 1988). This species had a cranial capacity of 9.5 cc (Martin, 1990). This species had an average body mass of around 2.1 kilograms (Fleagle, 1988).

RANGE:
Smilodectes gracilis was found on the continent of North America and occurred during the middle Eocene (Fleagle, 1988).

DIET:
Based upon dental morphology this was a folivorous species (Fleagle, 1988).

LOCOMOTION:
Based upon the postcranial skeleton this species was a vertical clinger and leaper (Martin, 1990).

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 15, 2001

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