Archaeopithecus: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:54, 16 June 2022

Revision as of 00:57, 16 June 2022

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The type species, ''Archaeopithecus rongeri'', was first described in 1897 by [[Florentino Ameghino]]. It is known from various fossils discovered in Middle Eocene terrains of [[Argentina]]. More recently, other species of small notoungulates from the same terrains were described, including ''Acropithecus tersus'' and ''Archaeopithecus rigidus''. Several studies tried subsequently to shed light on their taxonomic confusion ; a recent review of their fossil materials indicates that all those species are most probably synonymous with the type species.<ref>B. Vera. 2017. Patagonian Eocene Archaeopithecidae Ameghino, 1897 (Notoungulata): systematic revision, phylogeny and biostratigraphy. Journal of Paleontology</ref>

''Archaeopithecus'' and ''Acropithecus'' were initially described by Ameghino as primitive [[monkey]]s, hence their name, ''Archaeopithecus'' ("archaic monkey") and ''Acropithecus'' ("highest monkey"), but were later correctly attributed to the order [[Notoungulata]]. There is still doubts over the real relationships of this genus within Notoungulata ; it is consideredoften belongingplaced, with its relative ''[[Teratopithecus]]'', towithin the family [[Archaeopithecidae]], alongsidesometimes itsincluding the better known relativegenus ''Notopithecus'', and characterized by the characteristic conical incisors and canines and the near hypsodont molars. It may have been an archaic member of the suborder [[Typotheria]], a group of rodent-like notoungulates.

==References and bibliography==