Oligopithecus | |
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Scientific classification![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Primates |
Suborder: | Haplorhini |
Infraorder: | Simiiformes |
Parvorder: | Catarrhini |
Family: | †Oligopithecidae |
Genus: | †Oligopithecus Simons,1962[1] |
Type species | |
†Oligopithecus savagei Simons, 1962 | |
Species | |
Oligopithecus is afossilprimate that lived inAfrica during the EarlyOligocene. It is represented by one species,Oligopithecus savagei, known from onejaw bone found inEgypt.[3][4][5]
Oligopithecus savagei has adental formula of 2.1.2.3 on the lower jaw. The canine is relatively small and the frontpremolar is narrow. It also resembles thecallitrichines more than thecatarrhines. The lower third premolar is sectorial.Oligopithecus savagei has primitive molars as compared to otherhaplorrhines. The lower molars have atrigonid which is higher than thetalonid. The lower molars also have a long and obliquely directedcristid obliqua and a small paraconid on the first molar. The lower molars of this species had sharply defined and high occlusal crests and cusps. Based upon the jaw bone,Oligopithecus savagei had a body mass of 1.5 kg (3.3 lb).
Oligopithecus savagei was discovered in Egypt.