Parapapio

Parapapio
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Primates
Suborder:	Haplorhini
Infraorder:	Simiiformes
Family:	Cercopithecidae
Subfamily:	Cercopithecinae
Tribe:	Papionini
Genus:	†Parapapio; T.R. Jones, 1937
Species
	† Parapapio jonesi; † Parapapio whitei; † Parapapio broomi; † Parapapio lothagamensis

Parapapio is a genus of prehistoric baboons closely resembling the forest-dwelling mangabeys. Parapapio is distinguished from other Papio by the lack of an anteorbital drop, thin browridges, absence of maxillary fossae or a sagittal crest and only slight sexual dimorphism.^[1]

There are four recognized species, Pp. jonesi, Pp. whitei, Pp. broomi, and Pp. lothagamensis, but these taxonomic designations have generated some controversy. Traditionally, these species have been distinguished based on molar size with Pp. jonesi being the smallest and Pp. whitei the largest. However, variation in molar size in Pp. broomi overlaps the other two.^[2] Pp. jonesi is distinguished as having a more squarish muzzle than Pp. whitei but more rounded than Pp. broomi; however these distinctions are subtle and better diagnostic criteria are needed.^[1]

Some authors argue for a confused taxonomy in Parapapio but disagree with the reclassification. Since there may be no significant difference between mean tooth sizes or isotopic signatures in Pp. broomi and Pp. jonesi,^[3] these may represent a single sexually dimorphic species.^[4] However, the ranges of variation in Pp. broomi and Pp. whitei overlap and show no statistical differences based on an ANOVA run on the eleven interlandmark distances used in their analysis, and propose that the two are merely a single variable species.^[2] The sample of Pp. jonesi (STS 565) differs enough in facial characteristics that it remains distinctive from other Parapapio species.

References

^ ^a ^b Frost, S. R. & E. Delson (2002). "Fossil Cercopithecidae from the Hadar Formation and surrounding areas of the Afar Depression, Ethiopia". Journal of Human Evolution. 43 (5): 687–748. Bibcode:2002JHumE..43..687F. doi:10.1006/jhev.2002.0603. PMID 12457855.
^ ^a ^b F.L. Williams; R. R. A.; S.R. Leigh (2006). "Inferring Plio-Pleistocene southern African biochronology from facial affinities in Parapapio and other fossil papionins". American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 132 (2): 163–174. doi:10.1002/ajpa.20504. PMID 17078038.
^ Thackeray, F.; D. Codron; et al. (2005). "Stable carbon isotope analyses of Parapapio tooth enamel from Sterkfontein and Swartkrans". South African Journal of Science. 110: 483–484.
^ Thackeray, F. & S. Myer (2004). "Parapapio broomi and Parapapio jonesi from Sterkfontein: males and females of one species?". Annals of the Transvaal Museum. 41: 79–82.