Turkanapithecus kalakolensis


TAXONOMY:

MORPHOLOGY:
Turkanapithecus kalakolensis had a dental formula of 2:1:2:3 on both the upper and lower jaws (Fleagle, 1988). The upper molars of this species are relatively long and that have extra cusps (Fleagle, 1988). The anterior upper premolars are relatively large and the mandible is relatively shallow (Fleagle, 1988). In this species the root of the zygomatic process is above the first molar (Conroy, 1990). The snout is broad and square and the orbits are large and rimmed with a broad interorbital region between them (Fleagle, 1988). This species had a flat supraglabellar region (Conroy, 1990). This species had an average body mass of around 10.0 kilograms (Fleagle, 1988).

RANGE:
Turkanapithecus kalakolensis was found on the continent of Africa, and was discovered in northern Kenya (Fleagle, 1988). This species occurred during the early Miocene (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.

Last updated: November 17, 2001

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