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Contact: Leigh Kish
kishl@carnegiemuseums.org
412-622-3361
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Caption: A new fossil primate from Myanmar (previously known as Burma) suggests that the common ancestor of humans, monkeys and apes evolved from primates in Asia, not Africa as many researchers believe. The greatly enlarged canine teeth distinguish the animal from closely related primates. Heavy dental abrasion indicates that Ganlea megacanina used its enlarged canine teeth to pry open the hard exteriors of tough tropical fruits in order to extract the nutritious seeds contained inside.
Credit: Dr. Laurent Marivaux
Usage Restrictions: Credit must be attached
Related news release: New fossil primate suggests common Asian ancestor, challenges primates such as 'Ida'
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