Two New Fossils Reveal Details of Ape/Monkey Split
In 2011, a team of palaeontologists led by Nancy Stevens, unearthed a single molar in Tanzania’s Rukwa Rift Basin. It was a tiny fossil, but its distinctive crests, cusps and clefts told Stevens that it belonged to a new species. What’s more, it belonged to the oldest known Old World monkey—the group that includes modern baboons, macaques and more. They called it Nsungwepithecus.
A year later, and 15 kilometres away, the team struck palaeontological gold again. They found another jawbone fragment, this one containing four teeth. Again, a new species. And again, an old and distinctive one. The teeth represent the oldest fossils of any hominoid or ‘ape’. They called it Rukwapithecus.
Together, these two new species fill in an important gap in primate evolution. Based on the genes of living species, we know that Old World monkeys and apes must have diverged from each other between 25 and 30 million years ago. But until now, there weren’t any fossils from either group during that window. The ones we found were all 20 million years old or younger.
But Nsungwepithecus and Rukwapithecus were both found in sediments that could be precisely dated to 25.2 million years ago. They imply that apes had already split away from Old World monkeys by that time. Finally, fossils had corroborated the story that genes were telling. And they suggested that the split between these two groups took place against a backdrop of geological upheaval.
I wrote about the discoveries for The Scientist so head over there for the full story.
Go Further
Animals
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
History & Culture
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
- Heard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followersHeard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followers
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
Travel
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction
- On the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migrationOn the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migration
- Everything you need to know about Everglades National ParkEverything you need to know about Everglades National Park