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The tibio-fibular articulation in Apidium phiomense, an Oligocene anthropoid

Abstract

Apidium phiomense, a primitive anthropoid from the Oligocene of Egypt, shows partial fusion of the distal tibio-fibular articulation with extensive apposition of the two bones, a unique condition among higher primates. Functionally, this condition restricts the tibio-talar Joint to simple hinge movements which, together with other features in the skeletal anatomy of A. phiomense, suggests that this species was a leaper. The condition in Apidium suggests phenetic and possible phylogenetic links with platyrrhine monkeys, many of which show similar, but less extensive fibular apposition.

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Fleagle, J., Simons, E. The tibio-fibular articulation in Apidium phiomense, an Oligocene anthropoid. Nature 301, 238–239 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/301238a0

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