Adapis

Adapis is a genus of primitive, crested fossil lemurs from the Eocene Epoch in Europe. These ancient primates, known as adapiforms, are among the earliest and most primitive primates found in the fossil record. Adapiforms, which include lemurs, lorises, and galagos, lived during the Eocene Epoch, approximately 56 to 33.9 million years ago.12

Adapis parisiensis, the first fossil primate to be described, was initially misidentified as a small mammal before its primate affinities were recognized. This genus, along with others in the Adapidae family, had specialized teeth for eating leaves and a relatively small brain with large olfactory lobes, suggesting a strong sense of smell. Their skeletal structure indicates they were slow, deliberate climbers.2