Genus of
extinct fossil ape (Hominoidea) found in early Miocene
deposits (22-12 mya) in eastern Africa. Proconsul was a quadrupedal, tailless, monkey-sized
ape thought to have been adapted to a
diet that included soft
fruits. An almost complete
skull was found by Mary Leakey on
Rusinga Island. Consul was a well-known
chimpanzee at the London Zoo.
Type site:
Koru, Kenya. Distinguishing anatomical
features include a
mosaic of
primitive,
derived, and autapomorphic
features. (see autapomorphy). Proconsul was the most
primitive of the early
hominoids, and was previously considered a direct
ancestor of the modern
gorilla and
chimpanzee, the African
apes. The
clade may have originated 31-22
mya.
See
Napak,
Songhor,
Koru, and Mfwangano.