Mesopropithecus

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Mesopropithecus 

Temporal range: Quaternary 

Mesopropithecus globiceps skull 

Conservation status  

Extinct  (570–679 CE[1]) 

Scientific classification  

Kingdom:  Animalia  

Phylum:  Chordata  

Class:  Mammalia  

Order:  Primates  

Suborder:  Strepsirrhini  

Family:  †Palaeopropithecidae 

Genus:  †Mesopropithecus 
Standing, 1905[2] 
 Species[3]  

†M. dolichobrachion Simons et al., 1995 
†M. globiceps Lamberton, 1936 
†M. pithecoides Standing, 1905 

Subfossil sites for Mesopropithecus[3] 

red = M. dolichobrachion; 

green = M. globiceps; 

blue = M. pithecoides 

Synonyms[2][4]  

Neopropithecus Lamberton, 1936

Mesopropithecus is an extinct genus of small to medium-sized lemur, or strepsirrhine primate,

from Madagascar that includes three species, M. dolichobrachion, M. globiceps,
and M. pithecoides. Together with Palaeopropithecus, Archaeoindris, and Babakotia, it is part of
the sloth lemur family (Palaeopropithecidae). Once thought to be an indriid because its skull is
similar to that of living sifakas, a recently discovered postcranial
skeleton shows Mesopropithecus had longer forelimbs than hindlimbs—a distinctive trait shared
by sloth lemurs but not by indriids. However, as it had the shortest forelimbs of all sloth lemurs, it
is thought that Mesopropithecus was more quadrupedal and did not use suspension as much as
the other sloth lemurs.
All three species ate leaves, fruits, and seeds, but the proportions were
different. M. pithecoides was primarily a leaf-eater (folivores), but also ate fruit and occasionally
seeds. M. globiceps ate a mix of fruits and leaves, as well as a larger quantity of seeds
than M. pithecoides.M. dolichobrachion also consumed a mixed diet of fruits and leaves, but
analysis of its teeth suggests that it was more of a seed predatorthan the other two species.
 Although rare, the three species were widely distributed across the island yet allopatric to each
other, with M. dolichobrachion in the north, M. pithecoides in the south and west,
and M. globiceps in the center of the island. M. dolichobrachion was the most distinct of the three
species due to its longer arms. Mesopropithecus was one of the smallest of the known
extinct subfossil lemurs, but was still slightly larger than the largest living lemurs. Known only
from subfossil remains, it died out after the arrival of humans on the island, probably due to
hunting pressure and habitat destruction.

Contents

 1Classification and phylogeny

o 1.1Species
 2Anatomy and physiology
 3Distribution and ecology
 4Extinction
 5References

Classification and phylogeny[edit]

Mesopropithecus is a genus within the sloth lemur family (Palaeopropithecidae), which includes
three other genera: Palaeopropithecus, Archaeoindris, and Babakotia. This family in turn belongs
to the infraorder Lemuriformes, which includes all the Malagasy lemurs.[2]
Mesopropithecus was named in 1905 by Herbert F. Standing using four skulls found
at Ampasambazimba. He noted that the animal had characteristics of
both Palaeopropithecus and the living sifakas (Propithecus).[5] In 1936, Charles Lamberton
defined Neopropithecus globiceps (based on one skull from Tsirave) and N. platyfrons (based on
two skulls from Anavoha). He thought that Neopropithecus was a separate, intermediate genus
between Mesopropithecus and Propithecus. In 1971, paleoanthropologist Ian
Tattersall merged N. platyfronsinto N. globiceps and Neopropithecus into Mesopropithecus.[3]
Until 1986, Mesopropithecus was only known from cranial (skull) remains from central and
southern Madagascar, and because these are similar to teeth and skulls of living indriids,
particularly those of Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi), Mesopropithecus was often
assigned to the family Indriidae.[2][6][7] For example, in 1974, Tattersall and Schwartz
labeled Mesopropithecus as a sister group to sifakas.[1][3] With the discovery of an associated
skeleton of M. dolichobrachion near Ankarana in 1986, it became clear
that Mesopropithecusshared distinct traits with sloth lemurs.[1][6][8][9] Unlike the indriids, but like the
sloth lemurs, they had elongated forelimbs and other adaptations for
arboreal suspension (hanging in trees), linking them most closely to family
Paleaeopropithecidae.[2] A comparison of these morphological traits between the sloth lemurs
and indriids suggest that Mesopropithecus was the first genus to diverge within the sloth lemur
family.[1]
Species[edit]
Three species are recognized within Mesopropithecus:[3]

 M. pithecoides, described in 1905, was the first species to be formally named.[2] Its specific
name, pithecoides, derives from the Greek word pithekos, meaning "monkey" or "ape", and
the Greek suffix -oides, meaning "like" or "form", and reflects Standing's impression that the
animal resembled monkeys in form.[5][10][11] It was a small to medium-sized lemur,[12] weighing
approximately 10 kg (22 lb) and having an intermembral index (ratio of limb proportions) of
99.[1] Its skull was similar to that of M. globiceps, but had a broader snout and was more
robust, particularly in its sagittal and nuchal crests (ridges on the skull for muscle
attachments) and massive zygomatic arches (cheekbones).[1][2] Its skull length averaged
 98 mm (3.9 in),[1] ranging from 94.0 to 103.1 mm (3.70 to 4.06 in).[7] It was
predominantly folivorous (leaf-eating), but also consumed some fruit and (rarely)
seeds.[13][14] It was moderately abundant on the high, central plateau of Madagascar.[12][13][15] It
shared its range with the larger sloth lemurs, Palaeopropithecus maximus and Archaeoindris
fontoynontii.[15] One sample of its subfossil remains has been radiocarbon dated, yielding a
date of 570–679 CE.[1]
 M. globiceps was discovered in 1936 and originally classified in its own
genus, Neopropithecus.[2] The name globiceps comes from its prominent forehead[16] and
derives from the Latin word globus, meaning "ball", and the New Latin suffix -ceps, meaning
"head".[17][18] Like M. pithecoides, it was a small to medium-sized lemur,[12] weighing
approximately 11 kg (24 lb) and having an intermembral index of 97.[1] It had the most narrow
snout and gracile skeleton of the Mesopropithecus species, similar to but smaller
than M. pithecoides, making it more like the living sifakas.[1][2] Its teeth were similar to but
larger than those of living sifakas, except for its lower premolars, which were shorter, and the
M3 (third upper molar), which was moderately constricted by the cheek and tongue. Its skull
length averaged 94 mm (3.7 in),[1] ranging from 93.4 to 94.8 mm (3.68 to 3.73 in).[7] It was a
mixed feeder, eating fruit, leaves, and a moderate amount of seeds,[13] having a diet similar to
that of the living indri (Indri indri).[14] Although its forelimbs were more like those of living
indriids, its hindlimbs and axial skeleton (skull, spine, and ribs) were more specialized for
suspension, as in Palaeopropithecus and Babakotia.[1] It was found in the south and west of
Madagascar.[15] Three samples of its subfossil remains have been radiocarbon dated,
yielding dates of 354–60 BCE, 58–247 CE, and 245–429 CE.[1]
 M. dolichobrachion was discovered in 1986 and formally described in 1995. It was found in
the caves of Ankarana, northern Madagascar, around the same time that the first remains
of Babakotia were unearthed.[7] The species name dolichobrachion is Greek, coming
from dolicho- ("long") and brachion ("arm"), and means "long-armed".[7][19][20] It was a medium-
sized lemur,[12] slightly larger than the other two members of its genus,[7] weighing
approximately 14 kg (31 lb).[1] It differed significantly from the other two in its limb proportions
and its postcranial morphology.[7][15] Most notably, it was the only species in the genus to
have forelimbs that were longer than the hindlimbs, due to a substantially longer and more
robust humerus (yielding an intermembral index of 113), as well as more
curved phalanges (finger and toe bones).[1][7][21][22] For these reasons, it is thought to have
been more sloth-like in its use of suspension.[1][12][21] This was further supported by a study of
a single lumbar vertebra. This vertebra was similar to that of Babakotia in having a
moderately reduced, dorsally oriented spinous process and a transverse processes (plates
of bone that protrude from the vertebrae) that points to the side (laterally). The vertebra was
intermediate in length when compared with other sloth lemurs, and its laminae (two plates of
bone that connect to the spinous process) were not as broad as seen
in Palaeopropithecus.[23] In M. dolichobrachion, skull length averaged 102 mm
(4.0 in),[1] ranging from 97.8 to 105.5 mm (3.85 to 4.15 in).[7] The only notable difference from
the two other species in its teeth was that the third upper molar had a relatively wider trigon
and smaller talon (groups of cusps on the molar teeth).[1] It was a mixed feeder, eating
leaves, fruits, and seeds.[13][14] This species was more of a seed predator than the other two
species, but was not as specialized as closely related Babakotia
radofilai.[14]M. dolichobrachion was rare[12] and shared its range with two other sloth
lemurs, Babakotia radofilai and Palaeopropithecus maximus.[3][15] It was the most distinct
member of its genus and was geographically restricted to the extreme north of the island.[1]

Anatomy and physiology[edit]

Mesopropithecus placement within the lemur phylogeny[8][24][25] 
 Lemuriformes     

Daubentoniidae
     
         

         †Megaladapidae

  

Lemuridae
  
 

        

         Cheirogaleidae

  

Lepilemuridae
  
 

     

†Archaeolemuridae
     

   †Palaeopropithecidae †Mesopropithecus

      †M. globiceps

†M. pithecoides

†M. dolichobrachion

†Babakotia

†Palaeopropithecus

†Archaeoindris

  

Indriidae
  
 

The genus Mesopropithecus includes some of the smallest of the recently extinct subfossil
lemurs, but all species were still noticeably larger than all living (extant) lemurs. They ranged in
weight from 10 to 14 kg (22 to 31 lb).[1][2][13] They were also the least specialized of the sloth
lemurs, more closely resembling living indriids in both skull and postcranial
characteristics.[15] Skull length ranged from 93.4 to 105.5 mm (3.68 to 4.15 in).[7] The dentition and
cranial proportions, however, more closely resembled those of the sifakas.[2] The dental
formula of Mesopropithecus was the same as in the other sloth lemur and indriids:
either 2.1.2.31.1.2.3 [2][6] or 2.1.2.32.0.2.3  × 2 = 30.[3]Mesopropithecus had a four-toothed toothcomb,
like all indriids and most other sloth lemurs.[1][9] It is unclear whether one of the permanent teeth in
the toothcomb is an incisor or canine, resulting in the two conflicting dental formulae.[26] Like other
sloth lemurs and indriids, Mesopropithecus had rapid tooth development.[1]
Despite the similarities, there are several features that distinguish Mesopropithecusskulls from
those of living indriids. The skull, including the zygomatic arch, is more robustly built.
The temporal lines join together anteriorly into a sagittal crest and there is a distinct nuchal ridge
that joins the rear of the zygomatic arch. The skull has a more rounded braincase, slightly
smaller and more convergent orbits, more pronounced postorbital constriction (narrowing of the
skull behind the eye sockets), more robust postorbital bar (bone that encircles the eye socket), a
steeper facial angle, more robust and cranially convex zygomatic bone, and a broader, squared
snout. The upper incisors and canines are larger.[1][2][3][7] The more robust mandible (lower jaw)
and mandibular symphysis (point where the two halves of the lower jaw meet) suggest a more
folivorous diet, which requires extra grinding. The orbits are as large (in absolute size) as those
in smaller living indriids,[15] which suggests low visual acuity.[27] Mesopropithecus and its closest
sloth lemur relative, Babakotia, did share a few ancestral traits with indriids, unlike the largest
sloth lemurs, Palaeopropithecus and Archaeoindris. These include the aforementioned four-
toothed toothcomb, an inflated auditory bulla (bony structure that encloses part of the middle and
inner ear), and an intrabullar ectotympanic ring (bony ring that holds the eardrum).[1]
While the skull of Mesopropithecus most closely resembles that of modern sifakas, the
postcranial skeleton is quite different. Rather than having elongated hindlimbs
for leaping, Mesopropithecus had elongated forelimbs, suggesting they predominantly
used quadrupedal locomotion, slow climbing, with some forelimb
and hindlimb suspension.[2][8][9][13] In fact, they were the most quadrupedal of the sloth
lemurs,[13][15][21] having an intermembral index between 97 and 113, compared to the lower value
for indriids and higher values for the other sloth lemurs.[1][15] (In arboreal primates, an
intermembral index of 100 predicts quadrupedalism, higher values predict suspensory behavior,
and lower values predict leaping behavior.)[28] Wrist bones found in 1999 further demonstrate
that Mesopropithecus was a vertical climber[29] and the most loris-like of the sloth
lemurs.[9] Analysis of a lumbar vertebra of M. dolichobrachion further supported this conclusion.[23]
Our understanding of the morphology of Mesopropithecus has not always been so complete.
Until recently, important pieces of the skeleton had not been discovered, including
the radius, ulna, vertebrae, hand and foot bones, and the pelvis. In 1936, Alice Carleton
mistakenly associated postcranial remains of the diademed sifaka (Propithecus diadema) from
Ampasambazimba with Mesopropithecus pithecoides and came to the false conclusion that its
morphology was like that of a monkey. This mistaken attribution was corrected in 1948 by
Charles Lamberton.[9]

Distribution and ecology[edit]

Mesopropithecus species appear to have been generally rare within their wide range.
Collectively, the three species have been found in the north, south, west, and center of
Madagascar,[15] although they appear to have been geographically separated (allopatric) from
each other.[3] Subfossil discoveries indicate that they lived in the same region (sympatric) with
other sloth lemurs in the north and center of Madagascar.[15] The subfossil remains
of M. globiceps have been found at seven subfossil sites on Madagascar: Anavoha, Ankazoabo
Cave, Belo sur Mer, Manombo-Toliara, Taolambiby, Tsiandroina, Tsirave.[1] The subfossil
remains of both M. pithecoides and M. dolichobrachion have only been found at one site
each, Ampasambazimba and Ankarana respectively.[1]
M. pithecoides from the central plateau was a specialized leaf-eater (folivore), but the other two
species had a more mixed diet, eating fruits and seeds in addition to leaves.[13][14][15]The level of
seed predation varies between the three species, with tooth wear indicating
that M. dolichobrachion exhibited the greatest level of seed predation within the genus.[14]
Extinction[edit]
Because Mesopropithecus died out relatively recently and is only known from subfossil remains,
it is considered to be a modern form of Malagasy lemur.[12] It may have been among the last
subfossil lemurs to go extinct, possibly surviving until 500 years ago,[2][30] although radiocarbon
dating places the most recent remains at 570–679 CE for a M. pithecoidesfrom
Ampasambazimba.[1][30] The arrival of humans roughly 2,000 years ago is thought to have sparked
the decline of Mesopropithecus through hunting, habitat destruction, or both.[2]

References[edit]
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