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High-resolution computed tomography study of the cranium of a fossil anthropoid primate, Parapithecus grangeri: New insights into the evolutionary history of primate sensory systems
Article first published online: 6 OCT 2004
DOI: 10.1002/ar.a.20113
Copyright © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Issue
The Anatomical Record Part A: Discoveries in Molecular, Cellular, and Evolutionary Biology
Special Issue: Evolution of the Special Senses in Primates
Volume 281A, Issue 1, pages 1083–1087, November 2004
Additional Information
How to Cite
Bush, E. C., Simons, E. L. and Allman, J. M. (2004), High-resolution computed tomography study of the cranium of a fossil anthropoid primate, Parapithecus grangeri: New insights into the evolutionary history of primate sensory systems. Anat. Rec., 281A: 1083–1087. doi: 10.1002/ar.a.20113
Publication History
- Issue published online: 19 OCT 2004
- Article first published online: 6 OCT 2004
- Manuscript Accepted: 1 JUL 2004
- Manuscript Received: 20 MAY 2004
Funded by
- National Institutes of Health. Grant Number: EY11759
- W.M. Keck Foundation for Discovery in Basic Medical Research at the California Institute of Technology
- Frank V. Hixon Fund
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- optic foramen;
- acuity;
- olfactory bulbs;
- endocranial volume
Abstract
Extant anthropoids have large brains, small olfactory bulbs, and high-acuity vision compared with other primates. The relative timing of the evolution of these characteristics may have important implications for brain evolution. Here computed tomography is used to examine the cranium of a fossil anthropoid, Parapithecus grangeri. It is found that P. grangeri had a relatively small brain compared with living primates. In addition, it had an olfactory bulb in the middle of the range for living primates. Methods for relating optic foramen area and other cranial measurements to acuity are discussed. Multiple regression is used to estimate retinal ganglion cell number in P. grangeri. Given currently available comparative data, P. grangeri seems to have had retinal ganglion cell counts intermediate for living primates, overlapping with the upper end of the range for strepsirrhines and possibly with the lower end for anthropoids. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.