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Miocene fossil cercopithecoids from Kenya
Author(s) -
Benefit Brenda R.,
Pickford Martin
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.1330690404
Subject(s) - subfamily , taxon , genus , symphysis , zoology , theria , geography , paleontology , biology , ecology , cenozoic , phanerozoic , biochemistry , structural basin , gene
Fossil cercopithecoid material from Ngeringerowa, Ngorora, and Nakali, dated at between 8.5 and 10.5 m.y., is described. The specimens are the only cercopithecoid remains dated between 15 and 6 m.y. from sub‐Saharan Africa. The mandible of asmall colobine from Ngeringerowa (similar in size to Colobus verus ) is assigned to a new genus and species, Microcolobus tugenensis . Unlike other colobine genera, the symphysis of Microcolobus lacks an inferior transverse torus. A colobine lower M 1 or 2 from Nakali is longer and narrower than molars of M. tugenensis , indicating that it may belong to a distinct taxon. A P 4 from Ngorora cannot be assigned confidently to subfamily, due to its unique metaconid morphology. The relationship between the new genus and other Miocene monkeys is considered.