Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Systematic position of Plesiadapis

Abstract

THE systematic position of the Palaeocene mammal Plesiadapis has been a subject of discussion for almost a century. This is not surprising considering the meagre evidence on which it was first associated with lemuroid primates. A review of the evidence now available indicates that the affinities of Plesiadapis and its relatives are with early tarsier-like primates, and not with archaic lemurs.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gervais, P., J. Zool., Paris, 6, 74–79 (1877).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Gervais, P., J. Zool., Paris, 2, 421–426 (1873).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Delfortrie, E., Act. Soc, linn. Bordeaux, 29, 87–95 (1873).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Lemoine, V., Soc. Hist. nat. Reims, 1–24 (1878).

  5. Lemoine, V., C. r. Ass. fr. Avanc. Sci., 8, 585–594 (1880).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Simpson, G. G., Am. Mus. Novit., 816, 1–30 (1935).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Simpson, G. G., Bull. Am. Mus. nat. Hist., 85, 1–350 (1945).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Gingerich, P. D., Nature, 244, 517–518; 245, 226 (1973); Gingerich, P. D., in Prosimian Biology (edit. by Martin, R. D., Doyle, G. A., & Walker, A.), 531–541 (Duckworth, London, 1974).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Gingerich, P. D., Nature, 248, 107–109 (1974).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. Gingerich, P. D., thesis, Yale Univ., 1–370 (1974).

  11. Bown, T. M., and Gingerich, P. D., Folia Primatol., 19, 1–8 (1973).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Simons, E. L., Bull. Br. Mus. nat. Hist. Geol., 5, 45–69 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Simons, E. L., Primate Evolution (Macmillan, New York, 1972).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Szalay, F. S., Folia Primatol., 19, 73–87 (1973).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Russell, D. E., Mém. Mus. natn. Hist. nat., Paris, C 13, 1–324 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Szalay, F. S., Am. J. phys. Anthrop., 36, 59–76 (1972).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Gingerich, P. D., Folia Primatol., 19, 329–337 (1973).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Gingerich, P. D., in Lemur Biology (edit. by Tattersall, I. M., and Sussman, R.) (Plenum, New York, in the press); Contr. Mus. Paleont. Univ. Mich. (in the press).

  19. Clemens, W. A., Science, 184, 903–905 (1974).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

GINGERICH, P. Systematic position of Plesiadapis. Nature 253, 111–113 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/253111a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/253111a0

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing