Darwinius masillae

Overview

Darwinius masillae is an Eocene primate that preserved both its skeleton and the outline of its fur. The hands, feet, and long tail of a juvenile evoke life in an ancient forest. This fossil allows several parts of a small body to be examined together.^[1]

Key facts

Grasping with the hands and feet and gripping by wrapping the tail around something are different abilities. The hands and feet of Darwinius were suited to grasping, but its long tail was not shaped for wrapping around and gripping objects. It shows that there are several ways of living in trees.^[1]

Time and place

It is known from Messel in the Middle Eocene, around 47 million years ago. These are ancient lake deposits near present-day Frankfurt, Germany. Various birds and mammals lived in forests in a warm climate.^[1]

The time range describes source context, not the complete duration of this species.

Size, form and skeleton

The known juvenile skeleton was reported as about 58 cm long including the tail. The skeletal length of the head and trunk, excluding the tail, is about 24 cm. Its short snout, grasping hands and feet, and long tail can be compared together.^[1]

Habitat and reproduction

Its body form is linked with moving on four limbs in trees. The hands and feet were studied as structures for grasping branches and supporting the body. Its mode of movement can be explored through comparisons with diverse primate relatives of the forest.^[1]

Fossil discovery

A 2009 study presented the nearly complete skeleton and fur outline of a juvenile primate. The fossil of one individual was preserved split between two matching rock slabs. Because several body regions could be examined together, it became material for studying growth and relationships.^[1]

References

1. Complete Primate Skeleton from the Middle Eocene of Messel
2. Seiffert et al.2009 — Similar traits that evolved independently in primates
3. Peters1992 — A new fossil owl from Messel

Research questions

Does a resemblance to humans or monkeys immediately imply a close ancestor? Another phylogenetic study in 2009 analyzed Darwinius as an adapiform connected with relatives on the lemur side of the primate family. This is an example of also considering the possibility that similar features arose independently.^[2]

Observation

After looking at the hands and feet, examine the long tail and the outline left by the fur. Consider how grasping hands and feet and a nonprehensile tail might have been used together in one body.^[1]