Pérez De Los Ríos, MiriamMoyà-Solà, SalvadorAlba, David2024-02-062024-02-062012Pérez De Los Ríos, Miriam, et al. «The Nasal and Paranasal Architecture of the Middle Miocene Ape Pierolapithecus Catalaunicus (Primates: Hominidae): Phylogenetic Implications». Journal of Human Evolution, vol. 63, n.o 3, septiembre de 2012, pp. 497-506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2012.05.012.0047-248410.1016/j.jhevol.2012.05.012https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/99680The internal (nasal and paranasal) cranial anatomy of the Middle Miocene (11.9 Ma [millions of years ago]) great ape Pierolapithecus catalaunicus (Hominidae: Dryopithecini) is described on the basis of computed-tomography scans of the holotype specimen (IPS21350), with particular emphasis on its phylogenetic implications. Pierolapithecus displays the following characters: an anteriorly-restricted maxillary sinus that posteriorly spreads towards the ethmoidal area (thus resembling the pongine condition), although being situated well above the molar roots (as in kenyapithecins, other dryopithecins and pongines); lack of frontal sinus (a synapomorphy of derived pongines, independently acquired by both cercopithecoids and hylobatids); posteriorly-situated turbinals (as in Pongo); anteriorly-projecting nasolacrimal canal (as in Pongo); and probably stepped nasal floor with non-overlapping premaxillary–maxillary contact (as in dryopithecines and stem hominoids, although it cannot be conclusively shown due to bone damage). Overall, Pierolapithecus displays a mosaic of primitive hominid and derived pongine features that are inconsistent with this taxon being a hominine (as previously suggested). Two alternative phylogenetic interpretations are possible: Pierolapithecus may be a stem member of the Hominidae as previously suggested in its original description, or alternatively this taxon may be a stem member of the Ponginae s.l. (with the European dryopithecines being the sister taxon to the Asian pongines).engjournal article1095-8606https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2012.05.012restricted accessParanasal sinusesNasal cavityComputed tomographyNeogeneHominoidsSpainAntropología biológica2402 Antropología (Física)