Paleontological Research in the Lower Miocene of Northeast Uganda

这项研究的目的是通过在乌干达东北部的古生物学研究，更好地了解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最古老的现代猿类，以及最古老的旧大陆猴子和许多其他灵长类动物和哺乳动物。 特别令人感兴趣的是Morotopithecus bishopi。 对这种2000万年前的猿类化石的分析表明，与肯尼亚同时代的灵长类动物在整体身体规划上类似于猴子不同，Morotopithecus会像它的现代亲戚一样从事直立姿势和手臂摆动行为。 直立姿势和前肢悬挂的适应表明，古猿与现生猿类和人类之间存在着密切的关系。此外，作为已知最古老的展示这些适应性的猿类，Morotopithecus是了解它们起源的关键。 关于Morotopithecus还有很多东西有待确定，包括它与现存猿类和化石猿类的关系，它的古环境背景和解剖学。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学进行调查。 后者将提供关键的上下文数据的进化事件的时间和条件下，Morotopithecus和其他哺乳动物进化。 这项研究的更广泛影响包括四名妇女（P.I.和3名高级人员）以及培训美国和乌干达学生。 尽管东非是“人类的摇篮”，但历史上很少有东非人参与古人类学研究。

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.