The newly discovered species, estimated to weigh about 10 kg, Bronius Manfredschmidyis the smallest known hominid.
Danubius GuggenmosThis ape lived in what is now Germany about 12 million years ago (Miocene epoch). Image courtesy of Velizar Simeonovski.
Bronius Manfredschmidy It lived 11.6 million years ago during the Late Miocene in what is now Bavaria, Germany.
This primate fossil is Hammerschmiedewhich is best known for the exceptional fossils of a previously known species, the hominidae. Danubius Guggenmos.
“Miocene hominoid remains became increasingly common in Europe from the Late Miocene onwards, shortly after becoming rare in Africa,” said Dr Madeleine Boehme from the University of Tübingen and her colleagues.
“Despite their frequency, abundance and, in three cases (Can Lobatelles, Hammerschmiede and Rudabánya), the exceptional abundance of well-preserved hominoid fossils, no European site has ever yielded more than one hominoid taxon.”
Bronius Manfredschmidy It is represented by the partial remains of two teeth and a patella, which differ from the others in size and shape. Danubius Guggenmos and all other known apes.
“The teeth and patella Bronius Manfredschmidy “Its size is close to that of a thylacine, so its weight is estimated to be around 10 kilograms,” the paleontologist said.
“in contrast, Danubius Guggemossi Regression analysis from multiple measurements of the femur and tibia allows for a calculated weight range of 17-31 kg, and using alternative reconstruction methods, 14.5-46.3 kg.”
Based on the fossil structure, the researchers speculate: Bronius Manfredschmidy They fed on soft foods such as leaves and were expert climbers.
These characteristics suggest that the new species had a lifestyle distinct from other species. Danubius Guggenmosare larger bodied species that feed on tougher foods.
“Enamel is Bronius Manfredschmidy “It is thinner than other European apes and more comparable to gorillas,” Dr Boehme said.
“Enamel is Danubius GuggenmosOn the other hand, the teeth are thicker than those of all related extinct species, nearly reaching the thickness of human enamel.”
“Variations in enamel thickness correspond to the shape of the chewing surface.”
” Bronius Manfredschmidy The enamel is smoother and has a stronger cutting edge. Danubius Guggenmos The teeth are jagged and have blunt tips.”
“this is, Bronius Manfredschmidy Eat the leaves Danubius Guggenmos He was an omnivore.”
These differences may have allowed the two species to share habitat without competing for resources, similar to modern gibbons and orangutans that share the same habitat in Borneo and Sumatra.
This is the first known example of a Miocene fossil site in Europe containing multiple ancient ape species, but the scientists suggest that further examples of this coexistence behaviour may be discovered by re-examining other similar sites.
“A new great ape from Hammerschmiede, Bronius Manfredschmidy“Weighting approximately 10 kg, this dinosaur is not only the smallest known crowned ape but also provides the first example of human symbiosis in Europe,” the authors say.
“Eat the leaves Bronius Manfredschmidy They shared their habitat with omnivorous, bipedal apes Danubius Guggenmos. “
Discovery Bronius Manfredschmidy It has been reported paper In the journal PLoS One.
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M. Boehme others. 2024. Bronius Manfredschmidy – A new miniature hominoid discovered from the early Late Miocene of Hammerschmiede (Bavaria, Germany). PLoS One 19(6):e0301002; doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0301002
Source: www.sci.news
