Dryopithecini: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:08, 15 February 2025

An extinct tribe of apes from the Miocene epoch

Dryopithecini is a tribe of extinct apes that lived during the Miocene epoch, approximately 12 to 8 million years ago. These apes are part of the Hominidae family and are considered to be among the early ancestors of modern great apes and humans.

Description[edit]

The Dryopithecini were medium to large-sized apes with a body structure that suggests they were adapted to an arboreal lifestyle. They had long arms and fingers, which indicate they were capable of brachiation, a form of locomotion that involves swinging from tree limb to tree limb. Their dental morphology shows adaptations for a diet that likely included fruits and leaves.

Fossil Record[edit]

Fossils of Dryopithecini have been found in various parts of Europe, including France, Spain, and Hungary. The most well-known species within this tribe is Dryopithecus fontani, which was first discovered in France. These fossils provide crucial insights into the evolution of apes and the environmental conditions of the Miocene epoch.

Evolutionary Significance[edit]

The Dryopithecini are significant in the study of primate evolution as they represent a key stage in the divergence of the Hominidae family. Their anatomical features suggest a close relationship with the common ancestors of modern chimpanzees, gorillas, and humans. The study of Dryopithecini helps scientists understand the evolutionary adaptations that led to the development of bipedalism and other human characteristics.

Paleoecology[edit]

During the Miocene, the climate was warmer and more humid than today, with extensive forests covering much of Europe. The Dryopithecini thrived in these forested environments, which provided ample food resources and opportunities for arboreal locomotion. Changes in climate and the environment towards the end of the Miocene may have contributed to their extinction.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''Dryopithecini''' is a tribe of extinct primates that belonged to the family [[Hominidae]], which includes modern humans, their ancestors, and other extinct relatives. The members of Dryopithecini, often referred to as dryopithecines, are considered to have been crucial to understanding the evolutionary history of both humans and great apes. This article provides an overview of the Dryopithecini, including their characteristics, fossil record, and significance in paleoanthropology.
+{{Short description|An extinct tribe of apes from the Miocene epoch}}
+{{Taxobox
+| name = Dryopithecini
+| fossil_range = {{Fossil range|12|8|Ma}}
+| image = Dryopithecus_fontani.jpg
+| image_caption = ''Dryopithecus fontani''
+| regnum = [[Animalia]]
+| phylum = [[Chordata]]
+| classis = [[Mammalia]]
+| ordo = [[Primates]]
+| subordo = [[Haplorhini]]
+| infraordo = [[Simiiformes]]
+| parvordo = [[Catarrhini]]
+| superfamilia = [[Hominoidea]]
+| familia = [[Hominidae]]
+| subfamilia = [[Dryopithecinae]]
+| tribus = '''Dryopithecini'''
+}}
-==Characteristics==
+'''Dryopithecini''' is a tribe of extinct [[apes]] that lived during the [[Miocene]] epoch, approximately 12 to 8 million years ago. These apes are part of the [[Hominidae]] family and are considered to be among the early ancestors of modern [[great apes]] and [[humans]].
-Dryopithecines were primarily arboreal, indicating they lived in trees. They possessed adaptations for both brachiation (arm swinging) and possibly some degree of bipedalism, suggesting a diverse range of locomotor abilities. Morphologically, dryopithecines shared several features with modern great apes and humans, such as a Y-5 molar pattern, which is characterized by molar teeth with five cusps arranged in a Y shape, a trait indicative of their diet and phylogenetic relationships.
+==Description==
+[[File:Dryopithecus_fontani.jpg|thumb|left|''Dryopithecus fontani'']]
+The Dryopithecini were medium to large-sized apes with a body structure that suggests they were adapted to an arboreal lifestyle. They had long arms and fingers, which indicate they were capable of brachiation, a form of locomotion that involves swinging from tree limb to tree limb. Their dental morphology shows adaptations for a diet that likely included fruits and leaves.
 ==Fossil Record==
-The fossil record of Dryopithecini is primarily found in Europe and Asia, with most discoveries dating from the Miocene epoch, approximately 23 to 5 million years ago. Notable genera within the Dryopithecini include ''[[Dryopithecus]]'', ''[[Sivapithecus]]'', and ''[[Ouranopithecus]]''. These genera provide critical insights into the morphology, ecology, and evolutionary history of early hominids.
+Fossils of Dryopithecini have been found in various parts of Europe, including France, Spain, and Hungary. The most well-known species within this tribe is ''[[Dryopithecus fontani]]'', which was first discovered in France. These fossils provide crucial insights into the evolution of apes and the environmental conditions of the Miocene epoch.
-''[[Dryopithecus]]'' is among the best-known genera, with fossils primarily discovered in Europe. It is characterized by its dental and jaw features, which suggest a diet of soft fruits and leaves. ''[[Sivapithecus]]'', primarily found in Asia, is notable for its similarities to the modern orangutan, suggesting a close evolutionary relationship. ''[[Ouranopithecus]]'', discovered in Greece, is known for its robust facial features and is considered one of the last European hominids before the advent of the Pleistocene glaciations.
 ==Evolutionary Significance==
-Dryopithecini plays a pivotal role in understanding the evolutionary divergence between the lineages leading to modern humans and great apes. The morphological characteristics of dryopithecines, such as dental patterns and cranial features, provide evidence for phylogenetic relationships among hominids. Their diverse locomotor abilities suggest a complex evolutionary history of primate mobility, including the transition from arboreal to terrestrial life.
+The Dryopithecini are significant in the study of primate evolution as they represent a key stage in the divergence of the [[Hominidae]] family. Their anatomical features suggest a close relationship with the common ancestors of modern [[chimpanzees]], [[gorillas]], and [[humans]]. The study of Dryopithecini helps scientists understand the evolutionary adaptations that led to the development of bipedalism and other human characteristics.
-The study of Dryopithecini also sheds light on the environmental and ecological conditions of the Miocene, offering insights into the factors that may have driven hominid evolution, including climate change and habitat shifts.
+==Paleoecology==
+During the Miocene, the climate was warmer and more humid than today, with extensive forests covering much of Europe. The Dryopithecini thrived in these forested environments, which provided ample food resources and opportunities for arboreal locomotion. Changes in climate and the environment towards the end of the Miocene may have contributed to their extinction.
-==Conclusion==
+==Related pages==
-Dryopithecini represents a significant group in the evolutionary history of hominids, providing crucial insights into the morphology, ecology, and phylogenetic relationships of early primates. Their fossil record, while still incomplete, continues to contribute to our understanding of human and great ape evolution. As paleoanthropological research progresses, further discoveries of Dryopithecini fossils are expected to refine our understanding of these ancient relatives.
+* [[Miocene]]
+* [[Hominidae]]
+* [[Great apes]]
+* [[Evolution of primates]]
-[[Category:Prehistoric primates]]
+[[Category:Prehistoric apes]]
+[[Category:Miocene primates]]
 [[Category:Hominidae]]
-[[Category:Miocene primates]]
-{{Paleontology-stub}}
-{{Evolution-stub}}