Paleontological Research in the Lower Miocene of Northeast Uganda

乌干达东北部下中新世的古生物学研究

• 批准号: 0456589
• 负责人: Laura MacLatchy
• 金额: $ 5.04万
• 依托单位: Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-09-01 至 2006-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0456589&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Paleontological; Research; Lower; Miocene; Northeast

The aim of this study is to better understand the early evolution of apes and other primates through paleontological research at sites in northeastern Uganda. The Ugandan fossil sites have yielded the oldest known ape of modern appearance, as well as the oldest Old World monkey and numerous other primates and mammals. Of particular interest is Morotopithecus bishopi. Analysis of fossils of this 20-million year old ape has revealed that unlike contemporaneous primates from Kenya who resembled monkeys in overall body plan, Morotopithecus would have engaged in upright postures and arm swinging behaviors like its modern relatives. The adaptations for upright posture and forelimb suspension suggest a close relationship between Morotopithecus and living apes and humans. Furthermore, as the oldest known ape to exhibit these adaptations, Morotopithecus is key to understanding their origins. Much remains to be determined about Morotopithecus including its relationship to both living and fossil ape species, its paleoenvironmental context and its anatomy. Research will include field collection of more fossils, as well as investigation of the geology and paleoecology of the Ugandan sites. The latter will provide crucial contextual data on the timing of evolutionary events and on the conditions under which Morotopithecus and other mammals evolved. Broader impacts of the study include the participation of four women (the P.I. and 3 senior personnel) and the training of American and Ugandan students. Although East Africa is "the cradle of humanity", historically few East Africans have participated in paleoanthropological research.

这项研究的目的是通过对乌干达东北部遗址的古生物研究，更好地了解类人猿和其他灵长类动物的早期进化。乌干达的化石遗址发现了已知的最古老的现代外观的猿类，以及最古老的东半球猴子和许多其他灵长类和哺乳动物。特别令人感兴趣的是莫洛古猿。对这只2000万年前的类人猿化石的分析表明，与肯尼亚同时代的灵长类动物在整体身体规划上类似猴子不同，莫洛古猿的直立姿势和手臂摆动行为与它的现代亲戚一样。对直立姿势和前肢悬挂的适应表明，Morotopithecus与现存的类人猿和人类之间存在密切的关系。此外，作为已知的表现出这些适应能力的最古老的类人猿，Morotopithecus是了解它们的起源的关键。关于Morotopithecus还有很多有待确定的问题，包括它与现存和化石类人猿物种的关系，它的古环境背景和解剖结构。研究将包括实地收集更多的化石，以及对乌干达遗址的地质和古生态进行调查。后者将提供关于进化事件的时间以及Morotopithecus和其他哺乳动物进化条件的关键背景数据。这项研究的更广泛影响包括4名妇女(私人情报员和3名高级人员)的参与以及对美国和乌干达学生的培训。虽然东非是“人类的摇篮”，但从历史上看，很少有东非人参与古人类学研究。