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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 1, 2025

Reverse Dissection and DiceCT Reveal Otherwise Hidden Data in the Evolution of the Primate Face

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Published on: January 7, 2019

Amphipithecine primates are stem anthropoids: cranial and postcranial evidence.

J-J Jaeger¹, C Sein², D L Gebo³

¹Laboratory PALEVOPRIM, UMR CNRS 7262, University of Poitiers, 6 Rue Michel Brunet, 86073 Poitiers Cedex 9, France.

Proceedings. Biological Sciences

|November 10, 2020

Summary

Fossil primate Ganlea megacanina cranial remains reveal it as a stem anthropoid, not an adapiform strepsirrhine. This finding clarifies early anthropoid evolution and Asian origins.

Keywords:

Eocene Myanmar anthropoid evolution primates systematics

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Area of Science:

Paleontology
Primate Evolution
Anthropoid Origins

Background:

The phylogenetic position of Myanmar amphipithecines, including Ganlea, has been debated since their discovery.
Previous fossil evidence, primarily jaw fragments, lacked cranial elements crucial for resolving their evolutionary relationships.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the phylogenetic status of amphipithecines using new cranial and skeletal remains.
To clarify the early evolution of anthropoid cranial and skeletal features.

Main Methods:

Analysis of cranial and associated ulna remains from a single individual of Ganlea megacanina.
Comparative anatomical study of dentognathic, ulna, and skull features with extant and fossil primates.

Main Results:

Ganlea megacanina exhibits anthropoid-like dentognathic traits and specific ulna and skull features (e.g., lacrimal duct orientation, orbital rim, fused metopic suture).
Unlike crown anthropoids, Ganlea lacks postorbital closure, indicating this feature evolved later and convergently in tarsiers and anthropoids.
Amphipithecines are reclassified as stem anthropoids.

Conclusions:

Ganlea megacanina represents a stem anthropoid, providing insights into early anthropoid cranial and skeletal evolution.
The findings support the hypothesis of anthropoid origins and early diversification in Asia.
Postorbital closure evolved independently in anthropoids and tarsiers.