Pliopithecus

Pliopithecus (meaning "more ape") is a <a href="/facts/Genus/m8EFjSms">genus</a> of <a href="/facts/Extinct/24p5NP2q">extinct</a> <a href="/facts/Primate/Hl8RNE2X">primates</a> of the <a href="/facts/Miocene/cBRRzq4g">Miocene</a>. It was discovered in 1837 by <a href="/facts/%C3%89douard_Lartet/PHWYGBVe">Édouard Lartet</a> (1801–1871) in <a href="/facts/France/CxIeIKM3">France</a>, with fossils subsequently discovered in <a href="/facts/Switzerland/LcGuxeTe">Switzerland</a>, <a href="/facts/Slovakia/gmJwpwM3">Slovakia</a> and <a href="/facts/Spain/bIyrB8EY">Spain</a>.
Pliopithecus had a similar size and form to modern <a href="/facts/Gibbon/ArzDSTmr">gibbons</a>, to which it may be related, although it is probably not a direct ancestor. It had long limbs, hands, and feet, and may have been able to <a href="/facts/Brachiate/P02G5rJy">brachiate</a>, swinging between trees using its arms. Unlike gibbons, it had a short tail, and only partial <a href="/facts/Stereoscopic_vision/AL5Ydh0m">stereoscopic vision</a>.
They appear to have originated in Asia and extended their range into Europe between 20 and 17 million years ago. 
Begun and Harrison list the following species within the genus:

<ul><li>Pliopithecus antiquus</li>
<li>Pliopithecus bii</li>
<li>Pliopithecus canmatensis</li>
<li>Pliopithecus platyodon</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Epipliopithecus_vindobonensis/8B8wfDHp">Pliopithecus vindobonensis</a></li>
<li>Pliopithecus zhanxiangi</li></ul>
Pliopithecus antiquus has been referred to previously as P. piveteaui. P. vindobonensis is sometimes considered to be a separate genus, <a href="/facts/Epipliopithecus_vindobonensis/8B8wfDHp">Epipliopithecus</a>. <a href="/facts/Anapithecus/3sUIGbVL">Anapithecus</a> is a close relative and was initially considered a <a href="/facts/Subgenus/csbIQaGC">subgenus</a> of Pliopithecus.

Pliopithecus open-in-new

Pliopithecus