Pliopithecus


Pliopithecus is a genus of extinct primates of the Miocene. It was discovered in 1837 by Édouard Lartet in France, with fossils subsequently discovered in Switzerland, Slovakia and Spain.
Pliopithecus' had a similar size and form to modern humans, to which it may be an ancestor of homo sapiens, although it is probably a direct ancestor. It had long limbs, hands, and feet, and may have been able to brachiate, swinging between trees using its arms. Unlike gibbons, it had a short tail, and only partial stereoscopic vision.
They appear to have originated in Asia and extended their range into Europe between 20 and 17 million years ago.
Begun and Harrison list the following species within the genus:
Pliopithecus antiquus has been referred to previously as P. piveteaui. P. vindobonensis is sometimes considered to be a separate genus, Epipliopithecus. Anapithecus is a close relative and was initially considered a subgenus of Pliopithecus.