Hadropithecus
Hadropithecus Temporal range: Pleistocene-Holocene
| |
---|---|
Hadropoithecus stenognathus skull and mandible elements | |
Extinct (444–772)
| |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Primates |
Suborder: | Strepsirrhini |
Family: | †Archaeolemuridae |
Genus: | †Hadropithecus Lorenz von Liburnau, 1899[2] |
Species: | †H. stenognathus
|
Binomial name | |
†Hadropithecus stenognathus Lorenz von Liburnau, 1899[1]
| |
Synonyms[3][4] | |
Pithecodon sikorae Lorenz von Liburnau, 1900 |
Hadropithecus is a medium-sized,
The monkey lemurs are considered to be most closely related to the living
Etymology
The common names that Hadropithecus shares with Archaeolemur, "monkey lemurs" and "baboon lemurs", come from their dental and locomotor adaptations, which resemble that of modern African baboons.[5][6] The genus Hadropithecus is derived from the Greek words αδρος, hadros, meaning "stout" or "large", and πίθηκος, pithekos, meaning "ape". The species name derives from the Greek root στενο-, steno-, meaning "narrow", and γναθος, gnathos, meaning "jaw" or "mouth".[2]
Classification and phylogeny
Hadropithecus stenognathus is classified as the sole member of the genus Hadropithecus and belongs to the
Hadropithecus placement within the lemur phylogeny[8][9][10] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Based on similarities in their skull and teeth, it was later thought that monkey lemurs (Hadropithecus and Archaeolemur) were a sister group to the living indriids and the recently extinct sloth lemurs (family Palaeopropithecidae).[11][12] However, there was some debate over whether the monkey lemurs or the sloth lemurs were more closely related to today's indriids. The monkey lemurs had skulls that more closely resembled the indriids, but their teeth were very specialized and unlike those of the indriids. The sloth lemurs, on the other hand, had teeth like the indriids, but very specialized skulls. The matter was settled with the discovery of new skeletons of Babakotia and Mesopropithecus, two genera of sloth lemur, both of which had indriid-like skulls and teeth.[11] More recently, postcranial remains of Hadropithecus found in the early 2000s prompted the suggestion that the monkey lemurs were more closely related to the lemurids.[13] However, DNA sequencing has reaffirmed the sister group status of the monkey lemurs to indriids and sloth lemurs.[9]
Anatomy and physiology
Hadropithecus stenognathus has been estimated to have weighed between 27 and 35 kg (60 and 77 lb) and to have been roughly as large as Archaeolemur, although more gracile.[1][5] Newer subfossil finds, however, suggest that Hadropithecus may have been more robust, and more like a gorilla than a baboon.[14] It may also have been less agile than Old World monkeys.[4] Both lemurs were quadrupedal (walked on four legs).[5] There is no evidence of cursoriality (adaptations specifically for running) in either species,[14] and although Hadropithecus could have climbed trees, it lacked adaptations for leaping or suspension.[4]
Although fewer postcranial remains have been discovered for Hadropithecus than for Archaeolemur, what has been found indicates that both were adapted for a terrestrial or semi-terrestrial lifestyle,[1][5][6][12] an unusual trait for lemurs. Both genera had short limbs and a powerful build.[11] Due to its specialized dentition and likely diet, Hadropithecus is thought to have been the more terrestrial of the two,[12] since Archaeolemur may have sent more time foraging and sleeping in the trees.[5] Both genera also have shortened hands and feet, an adaptation for walking on the ground.[11]
The face of Hadropithecus was shortened and adapted to heavy stress from chewing. The monkey lemurs had highly specialized teeth, but Hadropithecus went further by specializing in strong grinding.
The skulls of both Hadropithecus and Archaeolemur indicate that monkey lemurs had relatively large brains compared to the other subfossil lemurs, with Hadropithecus having an estimated endocranial volume of 115 ml.[4]
Ecology
Like all other lemurs, Hadropithecus was
Extinction
Because of the low number of subfossil finds, Hadropithecus is thought to have been rare,
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8018-5789-8.
- ^ . pp. 80–81, 539, 645, 648.
- ^ a b c Lorenz von Liburnau, L. (1902). "Über Hadropithecus stenognathus Lz., nebst Bemerkungen zu einigen anderen ausgestorbenen Primaten von Madagaskar". Denkschriften der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Mathematisch-naturwissenschaftliche Klasse, Wien. 72: 243–254.
- ^ PMID 18663217. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
- ^ OCLC 883321520.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-536-74363-3.
- ^ Lorenz von Liburnau, L. (1899). "Herr Custor Dr. Ludwig v. Lorenz berichtet über einen fossilen Anthropoiden von Madagascar". Anzeigen der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Mathematisch-naturwissenschaftliche Classe, Wien. 27: 255–257.
- PMID 18245770. Retrieved 2009-09-02.
- ^ PMID 18442367.
- ISBN 978-0-226-30306-2.
- ^ OCLC 32480729.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-56098-682-9.
- PMID 16911817.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-387-34585-7.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-56098-682-9.