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New Oligocene primate from Saudi Arabia and the divergence of apes and Old World monkeys

Author

Listed:
  • Iyad S. Zalmout

    (Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan
    University of Michigan, 2534 C. C. Little Building, 1100 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA)

  • William J. Sanders

    (Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan
    University of Michigan)

  • Laura M. MacLatchy

    (Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan
    University of Michigan)

  • Gregg F. Gunnell

    (Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan)

  • Yahya A. Al-Mufarreh

    (Saudi Geological Survey, Paleontology Unit, PO Box 54141, Jeddah, 21514, Saudi Arabia)

  • Mohammad A. Ali

    (Saudi Geological Survey, Paleontology Unit, PO Box 54141, Jeddah, 21514, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdul-Azziz H. Nasser

    (Saudi Geological Survey, Paleontology Unit, PO Box 54141, Jeddah, 21514, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdu M. Al-Masari

    (Saudi Geological Survey, Paleontology Unit, PO Box 54141, Jeddah, 21514, Saudi Arabia)

  • Salih A. Al-Sobhi

    (Saudi Geological Survey, Paleontology Unit, PO Box 54141, Jeddah, 21514, Saudi Arabia)

  • Ayman O. Nadhra

    (Saudi Geological Survey, Paleontology Unit, PO Box 54141, Jeddah, 21514, Saudi Arabia)

  • Adel H. Matari

    (Saudi Geological Survey, Paleontology Unit, PO Box 54141, Jeddah, 21514, Saudi Arabia)

  • Jeffrey A. Wilson

    (Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan
    University of Michigan, 2534 C. C. Little Building, 1100 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA)

  • Philip D. Gingerich

    (Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan
    University of Michigan, 2534 C. C. Little Building, 1100 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
    University of Michigan)

Abstract

The divergence of apes and Old World monkeys The primate fossil record is uneven, and substantial gaps remain. One gap is the divergence of cercopithecoids (Old World monkeys) and hominoids (apes and humans) within Old World higher primates (Catarrhini). This event was previously thought to have occurred sometime during the early Oligocene–early Miocene interval in Afro-Arabia, but the discovery of a new stem catarrhine in western Saudi Arabia narrows that gap. The Saudi specimen, dated to the mid-Oligocene around 29 million to 28 million years ago, shows no crown catarrhine specializations other than the presence of a tubular ectotympanic, suggesting that the divergence of Old World monkeys and apes happened after that date. The size of the cranium indicates a medium-sized primate, between 15 and 20 kilograms in body mass.

Suggested Citation

  • Iyad S. Zalmout & William J. Sanders & Laura M. MacLatchy & Gregg F. Gunnell & Yahya A. Al-Mufarreh & Mohammad A. Ali & Abdul-Azziz H. Nasser & Abdu M. Al-Masari & Salih A. Al-Sobhi & Ayman O. Nadhra , 2010. "New Oligocene primate from Saudi Arabia and the divergence of apes and Old World monkeys," Nature, Nature, vol. 466(7304), pages 360-364, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:466:y:2010:i:7304:d:10.1038_nature09094
    DOI: 10.1038/nature09094
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