Nacholapithecus


Nacholapithecus is a Middle Miocene genus of hominoid found in the Nachola formation in northern Kenya. It is a key genus in early hominid evolution. Similar in body plan to Proconsul, it had a long vertebral column with six lumbar vertebrae, no tail, a narrow torso, large upper limbs with mobile shoulder joints, and long feet.
Together with other Kenyapithecinae such as Equatorius, Kenyapithecus, and Griphopithecus, Nacholapithecus displayed synapomorphies with Anoiapithecus.

Taxonomy

Nacholapithecus was initially classified as belonging in Kenyapithecus, then attributed to Equatorius, finally recognised as a separate genus. Classified perhaps as a member of the family Proconsulidae.

''Nacholapithecus kerioi''

Nacholapithecus kerioi is a hominoid known from the Aka Aiteputh Formation, in Nachola, Northern Kenya.

Formation

The formation is largely part of the north-western rift flank overlying the Nachola Formation, part of the Neogene system.