Oreopithecus-
meaning- mountain ape
time- 9 to 7 million years ago
epoch - Miocene
place- tuscony island of Italy.
physical characters-
Oreopithecus bambolii is estimated to have weighed 30–35 kg (66–77 lb). It possessed a relatively short snout, elevated nasal bones, small and globular neurocranium, vertical orbital plane, and gracile facial bones. The shearing crests on its molars suggest a diet specializing in plant leaves. The very robust lower face, with a large attachment surface for the masseter muscle and a sagittal crest for attachment of the temporal muscle, indicates a heavy masticatory apparatus.
Its teeth were small relative to body size. The lack of a diastema (gap) between the second incisor and first premolar of the mandible indicates that Oreopithecus had canines of size comparable to the rest of its dentition. In many primates, small canines correlate with reduced inter-male competition for access to mates and less sexual dimorphism.
Special charateristics-
It had longer arms than legs depicting brachiating behaviour. Their legs have been defined as chimpanzee like but distinct from extant apes. It is also believed that they were capable of bipedal motion albeit more like apes ( sideways) rather than human. Their hands were hominid like giving them pad-to-pad grip.
Extinction-
They went extinct when due to dropping sea levels connection with continental europe was possible. This brought in the megafauna which quickly saw them being wiped out. They remain one of the most studied ancient apes due to over 50 skeletal remains being found by archaeologists.
meaning- mountain ape
time- 9 to 7 million years ago
epoch - Miocene
place- tuscony island of Italy.
physical characters-
Oreopithecus bambolii is estimated to have weighed 30–35 kg (66–77 lb). It possessed a relatively short snout, elevated nasal bones, small and globular neurocranium, vertical orbital plane, and gracile facial bones. The shearing crests on its molars suggest a diet specializing in plant leaves. The very robust lower face, with a large attachment surface for the masseter muscle and a sagittal crest for attachment of the temporal muscle, indicates a heavy masticatory apparatus.
Its teeth were small relative to body size. The lack of a diastema (gap) between the second incisor and first premolar of the mandible indicates that Oreopithecus had canines of size comparable to the rest of its dentition. In many primates, small canines correlate with reduced inter-male competition for access to mates and less sexual dimorphism.
Special charateristics-
It had longer arms than legs depicting brachiating behaviour. Their legs have been defined as chimpanzee like but distinct from extant apes. It is also believed that they were capable of bipedal motion albeit more like apes ( sideways) rather than human. Their hands were hominid like giving them pad-to-pad grip.
Extinction-
They went extinct when due to dropping sea levels connection with continental europe was possible. This brought in the megafauna which quickly saw them being wiped out. They remain one of the most studied ancient apes due to over 50 skeletal remains being found by archaeologists.
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