Hispanopithecus laietanus is an extinct ape of the Miocene of Europe. It belongs to Hispanopithecus, a genus first identified in 1944 by J. F. Villalta and M. Crusafont, whose fossils from the Iberian Peninsula are dated to between 11.1 and 9.5 million years ago and which holds two known species. Specialists disagree whether the genus sits with the orangutan line, the subfamily Ponginae, or with the line of gorillas, chimpanzees and humans, the Homininae. Its skeleton points to a mosaic of climbing, clambering and below-branch hanging, with a strong grip on slender branches. Recovered specimens suggest marked sexual dimorphism, with males of about 40 kilograms and larger canines and females of 22 to 25 kilograms. Tooth wear indicates a soft, mixed diet of fruit and possibly young leaves.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Living or Extinct Conservation Status Body Size Band Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Hispanopithecus (Wikipedia)
In Biome
Source Hispanopithecus (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Hispanopithecus (Wikipedia)LeadQuote, Lead
a genus of apes that inhabited Europe during the Miocene epoch
Sources
1. Hispanopithecus (Wikipedia)
Lead
Hispanopithecus is a genus of apes that inhabited Europe during the Miocene epoch.
Diet and environment
Evidence suggests that the environment of Hispanopithecus on the Iberian Peninsula was tropical to subtropical with marsh-like features.
Diet and environment, diet
Analysis of the microwear of the teeth of Hispanopithecus indicate a morphological preference for softer foods, including fruits and possibly young leaves.
Morphology
The males have been estimated to weigh approximately 40 kilograms (88 lb)
View the SourceReader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.