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Giant monkeys, known as giant apes, in the karst landscapes of southern China Gigantopithecus blacki , crossed the area once. These gigantic creatures, three meters tall and weighing
Giant monkeys, known as giant apes, in the karst landscapes of southern China Gigantopithecus blacki , crossed the area once. These gigantic creatures, three meters tall and weighing approximately 250 kilograms, are considered distant relatives of humans. Although they disappeared before humans settled the region, the reasons for their extinction remain largely a mystery. The only evidence of their ancient existence are approximately 2,000 fossilized teeth and four jawbones.
New data for this region was published on: NatureThe findings, discovered by a team of Chinese, Australian and American researchers, demonstrate beyond doubt that the largest primate to walk the earth, which went extinct between 295,000 and 215,000 years ago, was unable to adapt its food preferences and behavior. and vulnerable to climate change, which determines its fate.
“History G. Blacki It is a mystery in paleontology: How could such a powerful creature become extinct at a time when other primates adapted and survived? The unsolved reason for its disappearance has become the Holy Grail of the discipline,” says paleontologist and co-author Professor Yinqi Zhang from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IVPP).
“IVPP conducted excavations to find evidence G. blacki “Without reliable dating and consistent environmental analysis, the reason for the extinction of this species, which has existed in this region for over 10 years, eluded us.”
The latest evidence revealing the history of great ape extinction came from a large-scale project collecting evidence from 22 cave sites across a large region of southern China’s Guangxi province. The basis of this work was dating.
Macquarie, one of the lead authors, says: “Identifying a specific cause for the extinction of a species is a great achievement, but identifying the exact time when a species disappeared from the fossil record gives us a target time frame for reconstructing the environment and assessing behavior.” University Geochronologist, Associate Professor Kira Westaway.
“Without reliable dating, you’re just looking for clues in the wrong places.”
Six Australian universities participated in the project. Macquarie University, Southern Cross University, the University of Wollongong and the University of Queensland used a variety of methods to date the samples. Southern Cross also put its teeth on the map G. blackiTo learn about monkey behavior. ANU and Flinders University respectively examined pollen and fossil deposits in the cave to reconstruct its environment. G. blacki developed and then disappeared.
By applying six different dating methods to cave sediments and fossils, 157 radiometric ages were obtained. These were combined with eight sources of ecological and behavioral evidence and applied to 11 caves containing evidence. G blacki, as well as 11 caves of a similar age range for which no evidence is found. G. blacki not found.
Luminescent dating, which measures the light-sensitive signal detected in burial sediments covering fossils G. blackiIt was the main method supported by uranium series (US) dating and electron spin resonance (US-ESR). G..black the teeth themselves.
“By directly dating the fossils, we confirmed that their age was consistent with the luminescence sequence in the sediments in which they were found, providing us with a comprehensive and reliable extinction chronology.” G. blacki “, says geochronologist Joannes Boyeau, associate professor at Southern Cross University in Reno.
Using detailed pollen analysis, faunal reconstruction, stable isotope analysis of teeth, and detailed microlevel analysis of cave sediments, the team identified the environmental conditions that led to this condition. G blacki The team then modeled the behavior using trace element and dental tissue analysis (DMTA) of great ape teeth. G. blacki during the species’ prosperity compared to its period of death.
“Teeth provide a striking insight into the behavior of species, indicating stress, diversity of food sources and repetitive behavior,” says Associate Professor Joannes-Boyau.
Findings show that G. blacki It went extinct between 295,000 and 215,000 years ago, much earlier than previously thought. Until now G. blacki grew up in a rich and diverse forest.
Between 700,000 and 600,000 years ago, the environment became more variable as the severity of the seasons increased, resulting in changes in the structure of forest communities.
Orangutans (gene Pongo) is a close relative G. blacki – they adapted their size, behavior and habitat preferences to changing conditions. For comparison, G. blacki Reduced dietary diversity by relying on a less nutritious backup food source when benefits were not available. The monkey became less mobile, had a limited geographical area to find food, faced chronic stress, and had a decline in population.
“H. Blackie “It was a top specialist compared to more agile adapters such as orangutans, which ultimately led to their extinction,” says Professor Zhang.
Associate Professor Westaway said: “As we face the sixth mass extinction, we urgently need to understand why species are disappearing.
“Exploring the causes of unresolved extinctions in the past gives us a good starting point for understanding the resilience of primates and the past and future fate of other large animals.”
Source: Port Altele
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