Craniomandibular morphology supporting the diphyletic origin of mangabeys and a new genus of the Cercocebus/Mandrillus clade, Procercocebus.

摘要: Previous studies have noted skeletal and dental differences supporting the diphyletic origin of mangabeys. Documented postcranial characters are congruent with molecular data thus support a close relationship between Cercocebus Mandrillus (mandrills drills) on one hand Lophocebus, Papio (baboons), Theropithecus (geladas) other. Most these characters, however, difficult to assess in papionin fossil record because associated material is rare. In order African determine evolutionary history this group, cranial critical. Here, set craniomandibular morphologies documented that mangabeys more broadly clades (i.e., Cercocebus/Mandrillus vs. Lophocebus/Papio/Theropithecus). These then used identify series crania from Taung as representative new member clade, Procercocebus antiquus. antiquus closest morphology extant taxon torquatus, probable ancestor-descendant suggested. Paleoecological reconstructions also suggest predator-prey crowned eagles Procercocebus-Cercocebus lineage has existed for approximately last two million years. Implications biogeography evolution discussed.