Proconsulidae
fossil primate family
Quick Summary
The Proconsulidae were a family of fossil primates that lived during the Miocene Epoch, approximately 23 to 5.3 million years ago. These primates are significant in understanding ape and human evolution.1
- Fossil Record: The genus Proconsul is known from numerous fossil remains found in East Africa, particularly around Lake Victoria.1
- Characteristics: Proconsul had a skull that resembled monkeys more than apes, and its forelimb skeleton was similar to that of modern monkeys. This led to its classification in the separate family Proconsulidae.1
- Evolutionary Significance: The Proconsulidae flourished during the Miocene, a time when grasslands expanded and new types of primates emerged. While Proconsulids eventually disappeared, they represent an early stage in the divergence of hominoids (apes) and cercopithecoids (monkeys). Other genera, such as Limnopithecus, Dendropithecus, and Afropithecus, have also been added to this family.1
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