Victoriapithecus
2023-07-18 Snargl 02:16
What kind of animal is Victoriapithecus?
Victoriapithecus ('Victoriapithecus macinnesi') was a primate that lived during the middle Miocene, approximately 15 to 17 million years ago, in Northern and Eastern Africa. Here are some key points about this fascinating ancient ape:
Discovery and Location
Victoriapithecus was discovered on Maboko Island in Lake Victoria, Kenya.
Over 3,500 specimens have been found, making it one of the best-known fossil primates. Physical Characteristics
Size: Victoriapithecus was the smallest known terrestrial anthropoid, weighing between 3 and 5 kg (6.6 to 11.0 lb).
Dental Formula: Its upper and lower dental formula was 2:1:2:3.
Molars: Unlike modern cercopithecids, which have bilophodont molars, Victoriapithecus had a more primitive molar structure and lacked the transverse distal loph.
Brain Complexity: Despite its small size, Victoriapithecus had a complex brain, suggesting that brain complexity evolved before larger brain size in early primates.
Olfactory Bulbs: It had large anteriorly projecting olfactory bulbs, serving as its primary source of olfactory detection.
Sagittal Crest: A well-developed sagittal crest indicated a dependence on heavy chewing.
Limbs: A divergent and opposable big toe allowed agility in tree climbing, but its limb morphology also supported terrestrial movement. Sexual Dimorphism
Victoriapithecus exhibited sexual dimorphism in both overall size and canine size.
Males averaged 4–5 kg (8.8–11.0 lb), while females were around 3 kg (6.6 lb). Evolutionary Significance
Victoriapithecus predates the last common ancestor of extant colobine and cercopithecine monkeys.
Its features provide insights into early primate brain evolution and adaptations for both arboreal and terrestrial lifestyles.
In summary, Victoriapithecus represents an important link in primate evolution, shedding light on brain complexity, locomotion, and sensory adaptations in our distant past.Example of the color palette for the image of Victoriapithecus
Top 5 color shades of the illustration. Arranged in descending order of frequency of occurrence (first - more often, last - more rare).
See these colors in NCS, PANTONE, RAL palettes...
NCS (Natural Color System)
Where does the Victoriapithecus live?
Victoriapithecus was a primate that lived approximately 15 to 17 million years ago in Northern and Eastern Africa.
It is one of the best-known fossil primates, with over 3,500 specimens found on Maboko Island in Lake Victoria, Kenya.
This island was part of the mainland during the Miocene epoch, when Victoriapithecus inhabited a forested environment.
Victoriapithecus was a small monkey, weighing between 3 and 5 kg (6.6 and 11.0 lb).
It had a complex brain, despite its small size, and a well-developed sense of smell.
It also had a primitive molar structure, unlike modern cercopithecids, which suggests that it ate seeds and other hard foods.
Victoriapithecus was closely related to another extinct genus, Prohylobates, and both are considered to be sister taxa of the living subfamilies Colobinae and Cercopithecinae.
Victoriapithecus was named after the location of its discovery, Lake Victoria, and the Greek word for ape, -pithecus.
The only species in the genus is Victoriapithecus macinnesi, which was described by Gustav von Koenigswald in 1969.
The only complete skull of Victoriapithecus was found in 1997 and provided valuable insights into the evolution of complex brains in primates.
Example of the color palette for the image of Victoriapithecus
Top 5 color shades of the illustration. Arranged in descending order of frequency of occurrence (first - more often, last - more rare).
See these colors in NCS, PANTONE, RAL palettes...
NCS (Natural Color System)
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The images you see on this page have been generated by AI - they are not real images of Victoriapithecus, but they are great nonetheless! :)