Equatorius Temporal range: Miocene (16–10 mya) |
|
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Primates |
Superfamily: | Hominoidea |
Genus: |
Equatorius Ward et al. 1999 |
Species | |
E. africanus |
E. africanus
Equatorius is an extinct primate genus of Kenyapithecus identified as a result of a skeleton found in central Kenya at the Tugen Hills. Thirty eight large teeth belonging to the middle Miocene hominid in addition to a mandibular and partially complete skeleton dated 15.58 Ma and 15.36 Ma. were later found.
The anatomical structures in part was seen to be similar to the Afropithecus and Proconsul. Nevertheless, anatomy and morphology suggested the genus had an increased terrestrial habitat.
Ward et al. 1999, using their previous published study of K.africanus, based the separate definition on comparisons of gnathic and dental anatomy. The classification's validity was subsequently challenged.