Carpolestes simpsoni

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Carpolestes simpsoni
Fossil range: Paleocene

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: †Plesiadapiformes
Superfamily: †Carpolestoidea
Family: †Carpolestidae
Genus: †Carpolestes
Species: †C. simpsoni
Binomial name
†Carpolestes simpsoni
Bloch and Gingerich, 1998

Carpolestes simpsoni is an extinct species of Plesiadapiformes, which is one of the earliest primate-like mammals appearing in the fossil record during the late Paleocene. C. simpsoni had grasping digits but no forward facing eyes.

Weighing about 100 grams, C. simpsoni appeared adapted for an arboreal habitat. One large, nail-tipped toe opposed other toes, allowing a firm grip on branches. Like other species of Carpolestes, the dental morphology of C. simpsoni is specially adapted to eating fruit, seeds, and invertebrates.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Biknevicius, A.R. (1983). "Dental function and diet in the Carpolestidae (Primates, Plesiadapiformes)". American Journal of Physical Anthropology 71 (2): 157–171. doi:10.1002/ajpa.1330710204. 

[edit] External links

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