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

摘要: For more than 80 years, Proconsul has held a pivotal position in interpretations of catarrhine evolution and hominoid diversification East Africa. The majority what we 'know' about Proconsul, however, derives from abundant younger fossils found at the Kisingiri localities on Rusinga Mfangano Islands rather smaller samples Koru--the locality type species, africanus--and other Tinderet deposits. One outcome this is seen recent attempts to expand genus "Ugandapithecus" (considered here junior subjective synonym Proconsul), wherein much sample was referred that based primarily differentiating it specimens P. africanus. This taxonomic revisions prompted us undertake systematic review dentognathic attributed taxon. Results our study underscore extend substantive distinction Ugandan (i.e., sensu stricto) fossils, latter recognized as new genus. Specimens are readily distinguished stricto by morphology preserved africanus holotype, but also I(1)s, lower incisors, upper canines, especially mandibular characteristics. A number these differences advanced among direction crown hominoids. characterized suite unique features strongly unite included species clade. There have been decades contentious debate over phylogenetic placement (sensu lato), due part there being mixture primitive within single By recognizing two distinct clades that, large part, segregate character states, believe better resolution can be achieved.