Proteopithecidae

Proteopithecidae is an extinct family of <a href="/facts/Primates/Hl8RNE2X">primates</a> which lived in the <a href="/facts/Priabonian/5ruB70cv">Priabonian</a> (late <a href="/facts/Eocene/EYgI8Uco">Eocene</a>) and probably early <a href="/facts/Oligocene/n3gnNogo">Oligocene</a> periods. Fossils that have been found are in the <a href="/facts/Jebel_Qatrani_Formation/yraR73LI">Jebel Qatrani Formation</a> in Egypt. Currently two <a href="/facts/Genera/m8EFjSms">genera</a> are recognised, each with a single species, those being Proteopithecus sylviae and <a href="/facts/Serapia_eocaena/EKcCyXTI">Serapia eocaena</a>.
Proteopithecus sylviae is unusual in having a large degree of sexual dimorphism of the canine teeth, which is unknown in extant primates of a similar (relatively small) size. It was <a href="/facts/Arboreal/6C5AeQ2y">arboreal</a>, probably <a href="/facts/Diurnality/GgXnXvN7">diurnal</a>, probably with a diet of fruit and insects. It weighed around 250 grams. It was the first Eocene anthropoid for which <a href="/facts/Postcrania/44CA9mLK">postcranial</a> remains were found. The hindlimbs are similar to those of <a href="/facts/Platyrrhines/RQ1hJY79">platyrrhines</a> and indicates an animal that would do a considerable amount of running and <a href="/facts/Pronograde/KMVYdsYf">pronograde</a> (four limbed) leaping.

Proteopithecidae open-in-new

Proteopithecidae