| The phylogenetic affinities of Otavipithecus namibiensis. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 10715196 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The middle Miocene hominoid Otavipithecus namibiensis is the first and most complete fossil ape from sub-equatorial Africa and represents a significant addition to the taxonomically sparse African middle Miocene hominoid fossil record. The Otavipithecus hypodigm comprises the holotype mandible, which presents a unique mosaic of dental and gnathic characters, and several attributed cranial and postcranial elements which resemble the stem hominoid Proconsul. Contrary to initial hopes that this discovery would provide new insights into hominoid morphological diversity and phylogenetic relationships, a variety of conflicting phylogenetic hypotheses have been advanced suggesting ties to virtually every major large-bodied hominoid group (Conroy et al., 1992; Andrews, 1992 a; Conroy, 1994; Pickford et al., 1994; Begun, 1994 a). Cladistic analysis of a matrix of 22 qualitative and ten quantitative characters of the mandible and mandibular dentition found no support for a close phylogenetic relationship between Otavipithecus and either the African ape or great ape clades, or with any of the Eurasian fossil hominoids with which it has previously been compared. A close relationship between Otavipithecus and Kenyapithecus cannot be ruled out, but is deemed unlikely on the basis both of morphological comparisons and the absence of support within a cladistic framework. The present analysis indicates that Otavipithecus is most closely related to Afropithecus, as previously suggested by Andrews (1992 a) among others. Due to lack of statistical support for this result, a conservative interpretation, that these taxa represented related but divergent lineages of a late early Miocene hominoid radiation, is currently favored. Findings are consistent with the allocation of Otavipithecus to Andrews' (1992 a) tribe Afropithecini which represents the sister group to Kenyapithecus and the extant ape clade. |
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Authors:
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M Singleton |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of human evolution Volume: 38 ISSN: 0047-2484 ISO Abbreviation: J. Hum. Evol. Publication Date: 2000 Apr |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2000-05-08 Completed Date: 2000-05-08 Revised Date: 2004-11-17 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0337330 Medline TA: J Hum Evol Country: ENGLAND |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 537-73 Citation Subset: IM |
Copyright Information:
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Copyright 2000 Academic Press. |
Affiliation:
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Department of Vertebrate Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, New York, NY 10034, USA. msinglet@iris.nyit.edu |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Africa Animals Dentition* Fossils* Hominidae / anatomy & histology, classification* Humans Mandible / anatomy & histology Paleodontology Phylogeny* Tooth / anatomy & histology* |
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