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.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Carlton, A. J. Anatomy 76, 45–55 (1941).
Barnett, C. H. & Napier, J. R. J. Anatomy 87, 11–21 (1952).
Simons, E. L. Scient. Am. 217, 28–35 (1967).
Kay, R. F., Fleagle, J. G. & Simons, E. L. Am. J. phys. Anthrop. 55, 293–322 (1981).
Fleagle, J. G. & Kay, R. F. in New Interpretations of Ape and Human Ancestry, 181–210 (Plenum, New York, 1982).
Szalay, F. S. & Delson, E. Evolutionary History of the Primates (Academic, New York, 1979).
Simons, E. L. in Old World Monkeys 92–147 (Academic, New York, 1970).
Hoffstetter, R. in Evolutionary Biology of the New World Monkeys and Continental Drift 103–138 (Plenum, New York, 1980).
Conroy, G. C. Contr. Primat. 8, 1–134 (1976).
Simons, E. L. Primate Evolution (Macmillan, New York, 1972).
Martin, R. D. Nat. Hist. 75, 52–61 (1975).
Rosenberger, A. L. & Szalay, F. S. in Evolutionary Biology of the New World Monkeys and Continental Drift 139–158 (Plenum, New York, 1980).
Hampe, A. Archs. Anat. microsc. Morph. exp. 48, 345–478 (1959).
Fleagle, J. G. & Simons, E. L. Folia primatologia (in the press).
Fleagle, J. G. Z. Morph. Anthrop. 71, 149–156 (1980).
Fleagle, J. G. & Simons, E. L. Am. J. phys. Anthrop. 59, (1982).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
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
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/301238a0
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.