Fossil Primates - 1

Originate in Paleocene in 66-56 mya w/ grasping hands, petrosal bulla (bone in ear), and rounded molar cusps

Plesiadapids

Originate in Eocene (56-34 mya) w/ bony eye protection, nails on most digits, and larger brains.

Euprimates aka “True Primates”

Connected to Euprimates and originate in Eocene w/ postorbital bar, nails, and grasping extremities

Adapoids aka Strepsirrhines

Connected to Euprimates and originate in Eocene w/ postorbital bar, grasping extremities, long legs, huge eyes, and short snouts

Omomyoids aka Tarsiers

Originate in Oligocene (34-23 mya) w/ full postorbital closure and fused mandibular symphyses

Fossil Anthropoids

Connected to Anthropids From Late Eocene w/ 2.1.2.3 teeth, honing complex, and bilophodont molars

Oligopithecids

Connected to Anthropids from Late Eocene to Early Oligocene w/ 2.1.2.3 teeth, larger bodied, and reduced incisors

Propliopithecids

Connected to Anthropids from Late Eocene to Late Oligocene and is primitive w/ 2.1.3.3 teeth

Parapithecids

Originate in Miocene (23-5.3 mya) and are Frugivorous arboreal quadrupeds

Fossil Hominoids (apes)

Connected to from Early to middle Miocene and are “stem” apes, short faced, w/ generalized dentition, have no tail, have y5 mars, w/ absent diastema, and are large

Proconsul

Connected to Hominoids from late miocene and known as terrestrial apes and are less arboreal/more larger

Sivapithecus

Connected to Hominoids from Late Miocene to middle Pleistocene w/ rounded molars, and huge (600 lbs), and are bamboo specialists

Gigantopithecus

Which primates emerged in the Paleocene epoch?

Plesiadapids

Which primates emerged in the Eocene Epoch?

Euprimates

Which primates emerged in the Oligocene Epoch?

Anthropids

Which primates emerged in the miocene epoch?

Lesser and greater apes (hominoids)

Significantly hotter climate, warming trend, more water/less land, and tropical jungles

Paleocene climate

Less seasonal, little ice, more wetlands, and more methane

Eocene climate

Region of emergence of Plesiadapids

North America and Europe

Region of emergence of Euprimates

West North America and Europe

Region of emergence of Anthropoids

Africa and Asia

Region of emergence of Hominoids

Africa, Europe, and Asia

Primates evolved traits like grasping hands, forward-facing eyes, and flexible limbs because they adapted to living in trees. These features helped them climb and move along branches.

Arboreal Hypothesis

Primates developed stereoscopic vision and grasping hands to hunt insects and grab prey on small branches. This idea focuses on better depth perception and coordination.

Visual Predation Hypothesis

Primates evolved alongside flowering plants (angiosperms). Traits like grasping hands and good vision helped them gather fruits, flowers, nectar, and insects found on thin branches.

Angiosperm Radiation Hypothesis