Diets of fossil primates from the Fayum Depression of Egypt : a quantitative analysis of molar shearing

摘要: Over the last 90 years, Eocene and Oligocene aged sediments in Fayum Depression of Egypt have yielded at least 17 genera fossil primates. However, this diverse sample diets only four early anthropoid been previously studied using quantitative methods. Here we present dietary assessments for 11 additional primate based on analysis body mass molar shearing crest development. These studies reveal that all late anthropoids were probably frugivorous despite marked subfamilial differences dental morphology. By contrast, prosimians demonstrated remarkable diversity, including specialized insectivory (Anchomomys), generalized frugivory (Plesiopithecus), frugivory+insectivory (Wadilemur), strict folivory (Aframonius). This evidence sympatric jointly occupied niches during reinforces hypothesis changes diet did not form primary ecological impetus origin Anthropoidea. Early localities differ from lacking large-bodied folivorous prosimians, may document first appearance communities with trophic structures like those extant continental Africa. A similar change community structure Eocene-Oligocene transition is evident Asian record. Putative large Asia, such as Amphipithecus mogaungensis, Pondaungia cotteri, Siamopithecus eocaenus, share derived features anatomy related to an emphasis crushing grinding mastication. these specializations are seen broadly ancestral later-occurring Fayum's upper sequence. lack resemblance undisputed African suggests "progressive" anthropoid-like some primates be result convergence rather than close phyletic affinity