Equatorius
Extinct genus of primates
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Equatorius is an extinct genus of kenyapithecine primate found in central Kenya at the Tugen Hills.[1] Thirty-eight large teeth belonging to this middle Miocene hominid in addition to a mandibular and partially complete skeleton dated 15.58 Ma and 15.36 Ma. were later found.[2]
| Equatorius Temporal range: Miocene | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Suborder: | Haplorhini |
| Superfamily: | Hominoidea |
| Family: | incertae sedis |
| Genus: | †Equatorius Ward et al. 1999 |
| Type species | |
| †Equatorius africanus | |
Analysis
The anatomical structures in part was seen to be similar to Afropithecus and Proconsul. Nevertheless, anatomy and morphology suggested the genus had an increased terrestrial habitat.[3]
Taxonomy
Ward et al. 1999, using their previous published study of K.africanus, based the separate definition on comparisons of gnathic and dental anatomy.[4] The classification's validity was subsequently challenged.[5]