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Remnants of an ancient forest provide ecological context for Early Miocene fossil apes

Author

Listed:
  • Lauren A. Michel

    (Baylor University)

  • Daniel J. Peppe

    (Baylor University)

  • James A. Lutz

    (Utah State University)

  • Steven G. Driese

    (Baylor University)

  • Holly M. Dunsworth

    (University of Rhode Island)

  • William E.H. Harcourt-Smith

    (Lehman College, City University of New York
    American Museum of Natural History
    Graduate Center, City University of New York)

  • William H. Horner

    (Baylor University
    Colorado State University)

  • Thomas Lehmann

    (Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt)

  • Sheila Nightingale

    (Graduate Center, City University of New York)

  • Kieran P. McNulty

    (Evolutionary Anthropology Laboratory, University of Minnesota)

Abstract

The lineage of apes and humans (Hominoidea) evolved and radiated across Afro-Arabia in the early Neogene during a time of global climatic changes and ongoing tectonic processes that formed the East African Rift. These changes probably created highly variable environments and introduced selective pressures influencing the diversification of early apes. However, interpreting the connection between environmental dynamics and adaptive evolution is hampered by difficulties in locating taxa within specific ecological contexts: time-averaged or reworked deposits may not faithfully represent individual palaeohabitats. Here we present multiproxy evidence from Early Miocene deposits on Rusinga Island, Kenya, which directly ties the early ape Proconsul to a widespread, dense, multistoried, closed-canopy tropical seasonal forest set in a warm and relatively wet, local climate. These results underscore the importance of forested environments in the evolution of early apes.

Suggested Citation

  • Lauren A. Michel & Daniel J. Peppe & James A. Lutz & Steven G. Driese & Holly M. Dunsworth & William E.H. Harcourt-Smith & William H. Horner & Thomas Lehmann & Sheila Nightingale & Kieran P. McNulty, 2014. "Remnants of an ancient forest provide ecological context for Early Miocene fossil apes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-9, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms4236
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4236
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