Microcolobus
Microcolobus Temporal range: Late Miocene
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Primates |
Suborder: | Haplorhini |
Infraorder: | Simiiformes |
Family: | Cercopithecidae |
Subfamily: | Colobinae |
Genus: | †Microcolobus Benefit & Pickford, 1986 |
Species: | †M. tugenensis
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Binomial name | |
†Microcolobus tugenensis Benefit & Pickford, 1986
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Microcolobus is an extinct genus of
Taxonomy
Microcolobus was described in 1986 from remains that were found in the Tugen Hills in Kenya and have been dated to between 10.5 and 8.5 million years ago.[2] Fossils of this species (or a close relative) have also been found in Nakali.[3] Primitive characteristics shared with the extinct Mesopithecus of Asia suggest a close phyletic relationship between the two.[4]
Description
Microcolobus was a small species of monkey, estimated at only 4–5 kg (8.8–11.0 lb) in weight.[1] It had more primitive characteristics than modern colobines such as having lower molar cusps and more crushing surfaces on the premolars. Its small size and less developed shearing crests suggest that it would have been less folivorous than modern colobines. While postracinal elements indicate it was likely arboreal, it does not have the reduced thumb seen in living relatives.[1]
References
- ^ ISBN 9781483288505.
- .
- PMID 23509250.
- ISBN 9780520257214.