Anaptomorphinae is a pre-historic group of primates known from Eocene fossils in North America and Europe and later periods of Paleocene Asia, and are a sub-family of omomyids.[2] The anaptomorphines is a paraphyletic group consisting of the two tribes Trogolemurini and Anaptomorphini.[3] Anaptomorphine radiation in Wyoming, one of the most detailed records of changes within populations and between species in the fossil record, has provided remarkable evidence of transitional fossils.[4]

Anaptomorphinae
Temporal range: 56–33 Ma Late Paleocene – Late Eocene[1]
The skull of Anaptomorphus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Haplorhini
Family: Omomyidae
Subfamily: Anaptomorphinae
Cope, 1883
Genera
Tetonus homunculus skull

Description

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Teilhardina is the most primitive of the anaptomorphines with respect a number of dental features (e.g. four premolars and relatively unreduced canine). Most scientists recognize at least fourteen genera of anaptomorphine. The probable lineages of Tetonius, Absarokius and Anemorhysis evolved from Teilhardinia or a closely related form from North America.[5][6]

Tetonius and Shoshonius have been classified as belonging to the Tarsiiformes,[7] and are therefore not closely related to human ancestors. The Anaptomorphine population was apparently high during the Early Tertiary. Tetonius from the Early Eocene was first found in the late nineteenth century and is considered important due to the significance of the find in forming the phylogeny of the primates. The last known animal belonging to the group was Trogolemur.[8][9]

Analyses of over a hundred specimens of omomyid primates recovered in the Wasatch formation in Wyoming, suggest that anaptomorphines never developed the highly specialised molars seen in modern prosimians. Similarly, incisor enlargement was most likely an adaptation for grooming and food manipulation rather than a purely frugivorous or insectivorous diet.[10]

Classification

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Notes

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  1. ^ "Anaptomorphinae". paleobiodb.org. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  2. ^ Delson, Tattersall & Van Couvering 1999
  3. ^ Tornow 2008
  4. ^ Fleagle 1999
  5. ^ Rose 2006
  6. ^ Krishtalka 1993
  7. ^ Beard et al; 1991[full citation needed]
  8. ^ Rasmussen 2007
  9. ^ Rasmussen et al. 1999
  10. ^ Williams & Covert 1994, Abstract
  11. ^ "†Omomyidae: †Anaptomorphinae". Mikko's Phylogeny Archive. 2004–2010. Retrieved 4 November 2012.

References

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