A new Middle Miocene tarsier from Thailand and the reconstruction of its orbital morphology using a geometric-morphometric method.
Proc Biol Sci
; 278(1714): 1956-63, 2011 Jul 07.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21123264
ABSTRACT
Tarsius is an extant genus of primates endemic to the islands of Southeast Asia that is characterized by enormously enlarged orbits reflecting its nocturnal activity pattern. Tarsiers play a pivotal role in reconstructing primate phylogeny, because they appear to comprise, along with Anthropoidea, one of only two extant haplorhine clades. Their fossils are extremely rare. Here, we describe a new species of Tarsius from the Middle Miocene of Thailand. We reconstructed aspects of its orbital morphology using a geometric-morphometric method. The result shows that the new species of Tarsius had a very large orbit (falling within the range of variation of modern Tarsius) with a high degree of frontation and a low degree of convergence. Its relatively divergent lower premolar roots suggest a longer mesial tooth row and therefore a longer muzzle than in extant species. The new species documents a previous unknown Miocene group of Tarsius, indicating greater taxonomic diversity and morphological complexity during tarsier evolution. The current restriction of tarsiers to offshore islands in Southeast Asia appears to be a relatively recent phenomenon.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Órbita
/
Tarsiidae
/
Fósseis
Limite:
Animals
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Proc Biol Sci
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article