Bearing Fruit: Miocene Apes and Rosaceous Fruit Evolution.

Area of Science:

• Paleobotany
• Paleozoology
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• Extinct megafaunal mammals in the Americas are linked to seed dispersal by large-fruited trees.
• Large-fruited species in Europe and Asia have received less attention regarding megafaunal dispersal.
• Arboreal Maloideae (apples, pears) and Prunoideae (plums, peaches) evolved large fruits in Eurasia ~9 million years ago.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate potential megafaunal dispersers of large-fruited Eurasian trees during the late Miocene.
• To explore the role of primates in the evolution of large-fruit seed dispersal.
• To examine early seed-dispersal mutualisms predating human agriculture.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of fruit traits (size, sugar content, color) and potential animal dispersers.
• Reconstruction of late Miocene faunal guilds in Eurasia.
• Phylogenetic analysis of arboreal Maloideae and Prunoideae.

Main Results:

• Large fruits in Maloideae and Prunoideae suggest adaptations for dispersal by large animals.
• Potential late Miocene dispersers included ursids, equids, elephantids, and importantly, large primates.
• A long-standing mutualism between primates and the ancestors of apples and pears is proposed.

Conclusions:

• Megafaunal mammals, particularly primates, likely facilitated the evolution of large-fruited trees in Eurasia.
• This represents an ancient seed-dispersal mutualism involving hominids millions of years before agriculture.
• Understanding these ancient mutualisms provides insight into plant-animal co-evolutionary dynamics.