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Parapapio
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<p><i>Parapapio</i> is a <a href="/facts/Genus/m8EFjSms">genus</a> of <a href="/facts/Prehistoric/52D6oKM4">prehistoric</a> <a href="/facts/Baboon/qz7J3AoC">baboons</a> closely resembling the forest-dwelling <a href="/facts/Mangabey_(disambiguation)/bM9KX2w8">mangabeys</a>. <i>Parapapio</i> is distinguished from other <i><a href="/facts/Baboon/qz7J3AoC">Papio</a></i> by the lack of an anteorbital drop, thin browridges, absence of <a href="/facts/Maxilla/LbgmySaT">maxillary</a> fossae or a <a href="/facts/Sagittal_crest/Mjm0QXDr">sagittal crest</a> and only slight <a href="/facts/Sexual_dimorphism/nx9wulFy">sexual dimorphism</a>. </p><p>There are four recognized species, <i>Pp. jonesi</i>, <i>Pp. whitei</i>, <i>Pp. broomi</i>, and <i>Pp. lothagamensis</i>, but these <a href="/facts/Taxonomy_(biology)/Qkg8wuyw">taxonomic</a> designations have generated some controversy. Traditionally, these species have been distinguished based on <a href="/facts/Molar_(tooth)/gQqDtg4z">molar</a> size with <i>Pp. jonesi</i> being the smallest and <i>Pp. whitei</i> the largest. However, variation in molar size in <i>Pp. broomi</i> overlaps the other two. <i>Pp. jonesi</i> is distinguished as having a more squarish muzzle than <i>Pp. whitei</i> but more rounded than <i>Pp. broomi</i>; however these distinctions are subtle and better diagnostic criteria are needed. </p><p>Some authors argue for a confused taxonomy in <i>Parapapio</i> but disagree with the reclassification. Since there may be no significant difference between mean tooth sizes or <a href="/facts/Isotopic_signature/fE1gX6nH">isotopic signatures</a> in <i>Pp. broomi</i> and <i>Pp. jonesi</i>, these may represent a single sexually dimorphic species. However, the ranges of variation in <i>Pp. broomi</i> and <i>Pp. whitei</i> overlap and show no statistical differences based on an <a href="/facts/Analysis_of_variance/HHR2jkDk">ANOVA</a> run on the eleven interlandmark distances used in their analysis, and propose that the two are merely a single variable species. The sample of <i>Pp. jonesi</i> (STS 565) differs enough in facial characteristics that it remains distinctive from other <i>Parapapio</i> species. </p>