Palaeopropithecus ingens

Palaeopropithecus ingens is an extinct lemur that was found on Madagascar and has gone extinct fairly recently. New radiocarbon dates indicate that Palaeopropithecus ingens may have still been living around 1500 AD.

Morphology

This species had a dental formula of 2:1:2:3 on the upper jaw and 2:0:2:3 on the lower jaw. Palaeopropithecus ingens had lower incisors which were small and vertical and the lower incisors of this species were spatulate. The molars of this species were narrow and had well-developed shearing crests (Fleagle, 1988). Palaeopropithecus ingens had a relatively robust skull and a relatively long snout as compared to extinct indriids. A mandibular symphysis was present and Palaeopropithecus ingens had a tubular meatus which extended laterally from the tympanic ring which also differs from extinct indriids. The forelimbs were longer than the hindlimbs which is in opposition to extinct indriids which had long hind limbs. On the manus the pollex was short and the phalanges were long and curved and Palaeopropithecus ingens had an intermembral index of 138.

Diet

Due to Palaeopropithecus ingens's dental morphology this was a folivorous species.

Locomotion

Palaeopropithecus ingens was a terrestrial quadruped, based upon postcranial remains.

Sources

• http://www.animalbase.uni-goettingen.de/zooweb/servlet/AnimalBase/home/species?id=630
• http://www.amnh.org/science/biodiversity/extinction/Resources/Bestiary/Primates.html#SlothLemur
• Fleagle, J.G. 1988. Primate Adaptation and Evolution. Academic Press: New York.
• Martin, R.D. 1990. Primate Origins and Evolution: A Phylogenetic Reconstruction. Princeton University Press: Princeton, New Jersey.