The oldest ape

Abstract

This paper recounts the history and significance of Morotopithecus bishopi, an early Miocene East African ape. Morotopithecus differs in intriguing ways from its contemporary Proconsul. While craniodental differences are slight, the known elements of its postcranium suggest that Morotopithecus was capable of modern ape–like positional behaviors, including vertical postures, deliberate climbing, and arm hanging. In contrast, Proconsul and other early and middle Miocene hominoids have been reconstructed as above–branch quadrupeds. Paleoanthropologists are currently divided over whether and which of the anatomical features associated with upright posture and suspension in the modern apes are due to inheritance or independent evolution. This debate has important implications for interpreting the phylogenetic positions of both Morotopithecus and Proconsul, as well as for reconstructing the pattern and timing of the emergence of modern ape adaptations.

A systematic revision of Proconsul with the description of a new genus of early Miocene hominoid

“…In accordance with other researchers (e.g., Harrison, 2002Harrison, , 2010MacLatchy, 2004;MacLatchy and Rossie 2005;Suwa et al, 2007;Harrison and Andrews, 2009;McNulty, 2010;Hill et al 2013), we do not recognize the generic distinction of "Ugandapithecus" from Proconsul. This is due in part to our findings, detailed below, of a distinct clade uniting P. africanus with species assigned to "Ugandapithecus."…”

Nacholapithecus and its importance for understanding hominoid evolution

“…[7][8][9] This shape, however, resembles not only that of Pan but also Ateles. 9 In addition, the glenoid of Ugandapithecus major (or Proconsul major) from Napak is similarly shaped.…”

“…Importantly, it bears on the interpretation of the hominoid Morotopithecus bishopi from 20.6 my-old Uganda. [7][8][9][10] In the article, we provide information on the anatomy and adaptations of N. kerioi as well as on the site of Nachola, and discuss how our current knowledge of N. kerioi can be incorporated into scenarios of hominoid evolution.…”

Remnants of an ancient forest provide ecological context for Early Miocene fossil apes

“…However, a small number of workers-led by Harrison 2,52 -maintain that Proconsul originated before the differentiation of crown catarrhines and support this claim with several morphological characteristics. The discovery in Morotopithecus of features suggestive of vertical positional behaviours also provides an alternate model of ARTICLE what early apes might have looked like 53 . Nevertheless, hominoid synapomorphies in the hand 26 , elbow 29 , ankle 27 , face 54 , dentition 1 and ontogenetic timing 55 of Proconsul provide solid support for the phylogenetic interpretation used here.…”