ANT 301 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Arboreal Locomotion, Himalayas, Ape
Document Summary
China (shanghuang: cave site, 45 million years old (eocene, filled with primate fossils from owl pellets. Unknown if it had complete p-orb closure. Tarsal synapomorphies: show that they are arboreal quadruped, less leaping than omomyids. Still not very large 900 g. Molar shearing crests suggest frugivory but eating leaves as protein source: aegyptopithecus. Pelvis and lumbar region very monkey-like (not suspensory) Elbow joint shares features for high mobility with living apes (primitive?) Limb anatomy and proportions suggest above-branch arboreal quadrupedalism. May have been close relative but locomotion was more like an arboreal monkey than an ape. By 10 million years ago the african fossil record has gotten very spotty. Fortunately, at 17 million years ago (middle miocene), afro-arabia made contact with southwest. So all of the best middle to late miocene fossil hominoid sites are found in eurasia. Siwalik hills, pakistan, and india sites: sediments deposited at the base of the rising himalayas (12-8 million years ago, middle.
