Smilodectes
Smilodectes | |
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Smilodectes skeleton | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Primates |
Suborder: | Strepsirrhini |
Family: | †Notharctidae |
Subfamily: | †Notharctinae |
Genus: | †Smilodectes , 1903 |
Species | |
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Smilodectes is a genus of adapiform primate that lived in North America during the middle Eocene.[1] It possesses a post-orbital bar and grasping thumbs and toes. Smilodectes has a small cranium size and the foramen magnum was located at the back of the skull, on the occipital bone.
Named species[]
There are three named species: Smilodectes gracilis, Smilodectes gingerichi and Smilodectes mcgrewi.[1]
Smilodectes gracilis[]
Smilodectes gracilis was an adapiformes primate from the early Eocene, some 55 million years ago. S. gracilis was found on the land mass of North America and based on its dental morphology, S. gracilis was a folivore.[2]
S. gracilis had a dental formula of 2.1.4.32.1.4.3 and had a relatively short snout, with rounded frontal bone as compared to other .[2] This species lacked [3] and this species of primate had comparatively reduced olfactory bulbs and a more expanded visual cortex.[2] This suggests that S. gracilis was a diurnal species.[2] S. gracilis had a cranial capacity of 9.5 cc.[3] It is thought that S. gracilis had an average body mass of around 2.1 kilograms.[2] Based upon its postcranial skeleton, S. gracilis was a vertical clinger and leaper.[3]
References[]
Bibliography[]
- Gebo, D.L. (2002). "Adapiformes: Phylogeny and adaptation". In Hartwig, W.C. (ed.). The Primate Fossil Record. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-08141-2. OCLC 47254191.
External links[]
- Prehistoric strepsirrhines
- Prehistoric primate genera
- Eocene primates
- Ypresian life
- Lutetian life
- Wasatchian
- Bridgerian
- Eocene mammals of North America
- Paleontology in Colorado
- Paleontology in Utah
- Paleontology in Wyoming
- Fossil taxa described in 1903