Fossil Monkeys and Apes from the East African Rift Valley

Explore the fascinating world of early primate evolution in this Royal Tyrrell Museum Speaker Series talk. Delve into the fossil record of monkeys and apes from the East African Rift Valley, predating the famous Lucy specimen. Learn about the morphology of early catarrhines, their dental formulas, and skeletal characteristics. Discover the research conducted in Ugandan Early Miocene sites, including revised radiometric dating techniques. Examine the factors driving catarrhine evolution in Africa and gain insights into ancient landscapes and habitat variability. Investigate fossil assemblages, taxonomic composition, and skeletal remains to better understand our primate ancestors and their evolutionary journey.

Before Lucy: Monkeys and Apes from the East African Rift Valley
Outline
Smaller 'Apes'
An Early Reconstruction of Relationships
Proconsul/Chimp
Ape vs. OWM Monkey Morphology All share a 2.1.2.3 dental formula, ectotympanic tube etc.
African Early Miocene Fossil Catarrhine Genera
Early Miocene Catarrhine Morphotype
Rangwapithecus gordoni
Small bodied catarrhines from Songhor
Research in the Ugandan Early Miocene
Ugandan Fieldwork
Revised Radiometric Ages for Ugandan Sites
Age of Moroto
Not a fast transition...
What drives catarrhine evolution in Africa?
REACHE RESEARCH ON EAST AFRICAN CATARRHINE AND HOMINOID EVOLUTION
Thesis Database
Fossil Assemblages
Taxonomic Composition
Skeletal Composition
Ancient Volcanoes and Changing Landscapes
Habitat Variability?