A new cercopithecoid dentognathic specimen attributed to Theropithecus from the late Early Pleistocene (c. 1 Ma) deposits of Simbiro, at Melka Kunture, Ethiopian highlands

A new cercopithecoid dentognathic specimen from the late Early Pleistocene deposits of Simbiro, Melka Kunture, Ethiopia, has been identified as belonging to the genus Theropithecus, likely Theropithecus sp. cf. oswaldi. This discovery adds to the rich mammalian assemblages found at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, providing further insights into the palaeontological history of the region. The specimen, catalogued SIM III-13-1 and collected in 2013, was analyzed using classical descriptions, measurements, X-ray computed tomography (CT), and 2D/3D quantitative analyses to propose its taxonomic attribution. This study contributes to our understanding of the evolutionary history and biodiversity of primates during this critical period.

Beaudet, A., Zanolli, C., Redae, B. E., Endalamaw, M., Braga, J., & Macchiarelli, R. (2015). A new cercopithecoid dentognathic specimen attributed to Theropithecus from the late Early Pleistocene (c. 1 Ma) deposits of Simbiro, at Melka Kunture, Ethiopian highlands. Comptes Rendus Palevol, 14(8), 657–669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpv.2015.07.003