Altiatlasius: Difference between revisions

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{{Taxobox
{{italic title}}{{Taxobox
| name = ''Altiatlasius''
| name = ''Altiatlasius''
| fossil_range = {{Fossil range|57|57|Late [[Paleocene]]}}
| fossil_range = {{Fossil range|57|57|Late [[Paleocene]]}}
Line 6: Line 6:
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
| ordo = [[Primate]]s
| ordo = [[Primate]]s
| subordo = ''[[incertae sedis]]''
| infraordo = ''[[incertae sedis]]''
| familia = ''[[incertae sedis]]''
| familia = ''[[incertae sedis]]''
| genus = †'''''Altiatlasius'''''
| genus = '''''Altiatlasius'''''
| genus_authority = Sigé ''et al.'' 1990
| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
| subdivision =
* '''''Altiatlasius koulchii''''' <small>Sigé ''et al.'' 1990</small>
}}
}}


'''''Altiatlasius''''' is potentially the oldest known "[[Primate|euprimate]]" (primate of modern aspect), dating to the Late [[Paleocene]] from [[Morocco]]. The only species, '''''Altiatlasius koulchii''''', was described in 1990.
'''''Altiatlasius''''' was a [[primate]] from the [[Paleocene]]. Its true taxonomic position remains controversial, it has been suggested that it should belong to the family [[Toliapinidae]], the order [[Plesiadapiformes]] or that it should be recognized as a [[Primate|euprimate]]. If it were recognized as a true primate, this would make it the oldest known primate species.


Its true taxonomic position remains controversial. It has also been suggested that it should be classified as a [[Plesiadapiformes|plesiadapiform]] (an extinct group of arboreal mammal thought to be closely related to primates) or that it should be recognized as a euprimate, either as an [[Omomyidae|omomyid]] (a branch of [[List of fossil primates|fossil primates]] thought to be closely related to [[tarsier]]s), an early tarsiiform, or the oldest [[Stem group|stem]] [[simian]] (monkeys and apes).
==Sources==
*The Rise of Placental Mammals Edited by Kenneth D Rose and J. David Archibald, Page 132.


==Evolutionary history and taxonomy==
==External links==
''Altiatlasius koulchii'', potentially the oldest known euprimate,{{Sfn|Williams|Kay|Kirk|2010|p=4803}} is known only from ten isolated upper and lower [[Molar (tooth)|molars]] and a fragment of a [[mandible]].{{efn|A lower molar and two half-teeth have also been found in the region and are suspected to be related to ''Altiatlasius''.{{Sfn|Tabuce|Marivaux|Lebrun|Adaci|2009|p=4091}}{{Sfn|Seiffert|Simons|Fleagle|Godinot|2010|p=370}}}}{{Sfn|Seiffert|Simons|Fleagle|Godinot|2010|p=369}}{{Sfn|Gunnell|Rose|2002|p=73}} These fossils date to the Late [[Paleocene]], approximately 57&nbsp;million years ago{{efn|According to [[molecular clock]] studies, the last common ancestor of all primates is estimated to date between 63 and 90 million years ago. Yet the oldest estimates conflict with the fossil record.{{Sfn|Godinot|2006|p=458–460}}}}, and come from the Jbel Guersif Formation in the Ouarzazate Basin of [[Morocco]].{{Sfn|Seiffert|Simons|Fleagle|Godinot|2010|p=369}} First described in 1990 by Sigé ''et al.'', ''Altiatlasius'' was originally proposed to be an [[Omomyidae|omomyid]], possibly close to the split with [[simian]]s (monkeys and apes). It has also been classified in the family [[Toliapinidae]], a type of [[plesiadapiform]] found in Europe.{{Sfn|Seiffert|Simons|Fleagle|Godinot|2010|p=370}}{{Sfn|Gunnell|Rose|2002|p=74}} Other classifications assume they are [[Stem group|stem]] euprimates, [[Eosimiidae|eosimiid]]-like simians,{{Sfn|Tabuce|Marivaux|Lebrun|Adaci|2009|p=4091}} or an early tarsiiform.{{Sfn|Gunnell|Rose|2002|p=74}} Many authorities consider ''Altiatlasius'' to be the oldest stem simian.{{Sfn|Tabuce|Marivaux|Lebrun|Adaci|2009|p=4091}}{{Sfn|Seiffert|Simons|Fleagle|Godinot|2010|p=370}}
*[http://taxonomicon.taxonomy.nl/TaxonProperties.aspx?id=654792&tree=0.1 taxonomicon.taxonomy.nl]

Together with the Early to Middle [[Eocene]] fossil primate ''[[Algeripithecus]]'' (originally thought to be the oldest [[Crown group|crown]] simian) from [[Algeria]], ''Altiatlasius'' helped strengthen the argument for an African origin of simian primates.{{Sfn|Williams|Kay|Kirk|2010|p=4798}} However, when addition fossil remains of ''Algeripithecus'' were found, it was shown to be [[Strepsirrhini|strepsirrhine]] primate instead of a [[Haplorhini|haplorhine]], placing it with the [[Azibiidae|azibiids]],{{Sfn|Tabuce|Marivaux|Lebrun|Adaci|2009|p=4089}} a group thought to be most closely related to lemuriforms (living [[lemur]]s and [[Lorisiformes|lorisoids]]).{{Sfn|Godinot|2006|pp=456 & 461}} Because ''Algeripithecus'' was radically reclassified with the discovery of more fossils, equally fragmentary remains of ''Altiatlasius'' leave its [[Phylogenetics|phylogenetic affinities]] questionable. Also, the 20&nbsp;million year gap in the fossil record between ''Altiatlasius'' and the first [[Parapithecoidea|parapithecoids]] raises questions about the validity of the African origins hypothesis for simians.{{Sfn|Tabuce|Marivaux|Lebrun|Adaci|2009|p=4091}}

== Notes ==
{{notes}}

== References ==
<!------------------------------------------------------------
This article uses a list of references in conjunction with the
{{Sfn}} template to keep the body text clean. Please follow
existing examples within the text and refer to the following
documentation pages if needed:

Template {{Sfn}}:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Sfn

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discussion of different citation methods and how to generate
footnotes using the <ref> tags.
------------------------------------------------------------->
{{reflist|30em}}

=== Literature cited ===
{{refbegin}}
* <!-- {{Sfn|Godinot|2006}} -->{{cite doi|10.1159/000095391}}
* <!-- {{Sfn|Gunnell|Rose|2002}} -->{{cite book | editor1-last = Hartwig | editor1-first = W.C. | title = The Primate Fossil Record | publisher = Cambridge University Press | year = 2002 | isbn = 0-521-66315-6 | contribution = Chapter 5: Tarsiiformes: Evolutionary history and adaptation | last1 = Gunnell | first1 = G.F. | last2 = Rose | first2 = K.D. | pages = 45–82 | ref = harv}}
* <!-- {{Sfn|Seiffert|Simons|Fleagle|Godinot|2010}} -->{{cite book | editor1-last = Werdelin | editor1-first = L. | editor2-last = Sanders | editor2-first = W.J | title = Cenozoic Mammals of Africa | publisher = University of California Press | year = 2010 | isbn = 978-0-520-25721-4 | contribution = Chapter 22: Paleogene Anthropoids | last1 = Seiffert | first1 = E.R. | last2 = Simons | first2 = E.L. | last3 = Fleagle | first3 = J.G. | last4 = Godinot | first4 = M. | pages = 369–392 | ref = harv}}
* <!-- {{Sfn|Tabuce|Marivaux|Lebrun|Adaci|2009}} -->{{cite doi|10.1098/rspb.2009.1339}}
* <!-- {{Sfn|Williams|Kay|Kirk|2010}} -->{{cite doi|10.1073/pnas.0908320107}}
{{refend}}


[[Category:Paleocene mammals]]
[[Category:Paleocene mammals]]

Revision as of 23:09, 3 June 2012

Altiatlasius
Temporal range: Late Paleocene
↓
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Primates
Suborder:
incertae sedis
Infraorder:
incertae sedis
Family:
incertae sedis
Genus:
Altiatlasius

Sigé et al. 1990
Species
  • Altiatlasius koulchii Sigé et al. 1990

Altiatlasius is potentially the oldest known "euprimate" (primate of modern aspect), dating to the Late Paleocene from Morocco. The only species, Altiatlasius koulchii, was described in 1990.

Its true taxonomic position remains controversial. It has also been suggested that it should be classified as a plesiadapiform (an extinct group of arboreal mammal thought to be closely related to primates) or that it should be recognized as a euprimate, either as an omomyid (a branch of fossil primates thought to be closely related to tarsiers), an early tarsiiform, or the oldest stem simian (monkeys and apes).

Evolutionary history and taxonomy

Altiatlasius koulchii, potentially the oldest known euprimate,[1] is known only from ten isolated upper and lower molars and a fragment of a mandible.[a][4][5] These fossils date to the Late Paleocene, approximately 57 million years ago[b], and come from the Jbel Guersif Formation in the Ouarzazate Basin of Morocco.[4] First described in 1990 by Sigé et al., Altiatlasius was originally proposed to be an omomyid, possibly close to the split with simians (monkeys and apes). It has also been classified in the family Toliapinidae, a type of plesiadapiform found in Europe.[3][7] Other classifications assume they are stem euprimates, eosimiid-like simians,[2] or an early tarsiiform.[7] Many authorities consider Altiatlasius to be the oldest stem simian.[2][3]

Together with the Early to Middle Eocene fossil primate Algeripithecus (originally thought to be the oldest crown simian) from Algeria, Altiatlasius helped strengthen the argument for an African origin of simian primates.[8] However, when addition fossil remains of Algeripithecus were found, it was shown to be strepsirrhine primate instead of a haplorhine, placing it with the azibiids,[9] a group thought to be most closely related to lemuriforms (living lemurs and lorisoids).[10] Because Algeripithecus was radically reclassified with the discovery of more fossils, equally fragmentary remains of Altiatlasius leave its phylogenetic affinities questionable. Also, the 20 million year gap in the fossil record between Altiatlasius and the first parapithecoids raises questions about the validity of the African origins hypothesis for simians.[2]

Notes

  1. ^ A lower molar and two half-teeth have also been found in the region and are suspected to be related to Altiatlasius.[2][3]
  2. ^ According to molecular clock studies, the last common ancestor of all primates is estimated to date between 63 and 90 million years ago. Yet the oldest estimates conflict with the fossil record.[6]

References

  1. ^ Williams, Kay & Kirk 2010, p. 4803.
  2. ^ a b c d Tabuce et al. 2009, p. 4091.
  3. ^ a b c Seiffert et al. 2010, p. 370.
  4. ^ a b Seiffert et al. 2010, p. 369.
  5. ^ Gunnell & Rose 2002, p. 73.
  6. ^ Godinot 2006, p. 458–460.
  7. ^ a b Gunnell & Rose 2002, p. 74.
  8. ^ Williams, Kay & Kirk 2010, p. 4798.
  9. ^ Tabuce et al. 2009, p. 4089.
  10. ^ Godinot 2006, pp. 456 & 461.

Literature cited

  • Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1159/000095391, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi=10.1159/000095391 instead.
  • Gunnell, G.F.; Rose, K.D. (2002). "Chapter 5: Tarsiiformes: Evolutionary history and adaptation". In Hartwig, W.C. (ed.). The Primate Fossil Record. Cambridge University Press. pp. 45–82. ISBN 0-521-66315-6. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Seiffert, E.R.; Simons, E.L.; Fleagle, J.G.; Godinot, M. (2010). "Chapter 22: Paleogene Anthropoids". In Werdelin, L.; Sanders, W.J (eds.). Cenozoic Mammals of Africa. University of California Press. pp. 369–392. ISBN 978-0-520-25721-4. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1098/rspb.2009.1339, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi=10.1098/rspb.2009.1339 instead.
  • Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1073/pnas.0908320107, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with |doi=10.1073/pnas.0908320107 instead.
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