An upper dentition of Aframonius dieides (Primates) from the Fayum, Egyptian Eocene.

Abstract

The first known upper dentitions--an adult and subadult--of the cercamoniine adapiform Aframonius dieides are described. Comparisons show that A. dieides has an upper molar morphology resembling that of other cercamoniine adapids but the species lacks some of their typical specializations. The new dental material confirms that Aframonius stands closer to Mahgarita from west Texas and Cercamonius from Europe than it does to Schizarodon and Omanodon from Oman-all of which have been ranked as cercamoniines. Affinities of the latter two genera probably lie with the Anchomomys group. The presence of a cercamoniine adapid in the Eocene of Egypt supports the view that early African anthropoideans evolved not in isolation, but concomitantly with a contemporary Eocene prosimian radiation.