New primate hind limb elements from the middle Eocene of China

The continued washing, sorting, and identification of middle Eocene (similar to 45 Mya) primates from the Shanghuang fissure-fillings (Jiangsu Province, China) have produced additional hind limb elements. All are isolated elements. The strepsithine hind limb elements include a first metatarsal and a talus, which are appropriate in size and morphology to pertain to Adapoides troglodytes. Adapoides is interpreted as a quadrupedal-climbing (nonleaping) primate with similarities to living lorises and the fossil primate Adapis. The haplorhine hind limb elements are estimated to span a range of adult body sizes from tiny (17 g) to small (200 g). Included among the new sample of haplorhine hind limb specimens is the smallest primate talus reported thus far. These new postcranial specimens expand our understanding of early haplorhine hind limb anatomy and demonstrate additional similarities between Shanghuang eosimiids and other anthropoids. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.