New primate hind limb elements from the middle Eocene of China

The continued washing, sorting, and identification of middle Eocene (∼45 Mya) primates from the Shanghuang fissure-fillings (Jiangsu Province, China) have produced additional hind limb elements. All are isolated elements. The strepsirhine hind limb elements include a first metatarsal and a talus, wh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of human evolution 2008-12, Vol.55 (6), p.999-1014
Main Authors: Gebo, Daniel L., Dagosto, Marian, Christopher Beard, K., Ni, Xijun
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adapoides
Anatomy
Animals
Bones of Lower Extremity - anatomy & histology
China
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Eocene
Exact sciences and technology
Fossils
Haplorhini
Haplorhini - anatomy & histology
Invertebrate paleontology
Limb
Morphology
Paleontology
Primate postcranial elements
Primates
Shanghuang
Stratigraphy
Strepsirhini - anatomy & histology
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Summary:The continued washing, sorting, and identification of middle Eocene (∼45 Mya) primates from the Shanghuang fissure-fillings (Jiangsu Province, China) have produced additional hind limb elements. All are isolated elements. The strepsirhine hind limb elements include a first metatarsal and a talus, which are appropriate in size and morphology to pertain to Adapoides troglodytes. Adapoides is interpreted as a quadrupedal-climbing (nonleaping) primate with similarities to living lorises and the fossil primate Adapis. The haplorhine hind limb elements are estimated to span a range of adult body sizes from tiny (17 g) to small (200 g). Included among the new sample of haplorhine hind limb specimens is the smallest primate talus reported thus far. These new postcranial specimens expand our understanding of early haplorhine hind limb anatomy and demonstrate additional similarities between Shanghuang eosimiids and other anthropoids.
ISSN:0047-2484
1095-8606
DOI:10.1016/j.jhevol.2008.03.002