trochanter’s morphology is inconsistent with that of leaping primates, serving as further evidence of the animal’s quadrupedalism. Aegyptopithecus is thought to have been an arboreal quadruped due to the distal articular region of the femur, which is deeper than that of “later” catarrhines. Also, based on overall femoral morphology, A. zeuxis is thought to have been robust. The phalanges of the hands and feet suggest powerful grasping consistent with arboreal quadrupedalism. In conjunction with the femur, the humerus suggests arboreal quadrupedalism. This is based on the pronounced brachialis flange and stabilizing muscles on brachial flexors rather than extensors. In addition, the ulna and distal articular surface of the humerus indicate that A. zeuxis was not only an arboreal quadruped, but also large and slow. This is consistent with evidence extrapolated from femoral morphology. Diet Studies in dental microwear and microsutures focusing on its molars, suggest that Aegyptopithecus was probably a frugivore. It is also possible that Aegyptopithecus ate hard objects on occasion. Habitat Aegyptopithecus lived in the Fayum area of northern Egypt. Today, this area is semiarid and lacking in vegetation. At the time of Aegyptopithecus’ existence, the Oligocene, this area was heavily vegetated, subtropical, had many trees and had seasonal rainfall. References External links Aegyptopithecus, Archaeology.info site Aegyptopithecus zeuxis, paragraph and picture on Duke University site. Aegyptopithecus zeuxis, article on members.tripod.com Prehistoric monkeys Prehistoric primate genera Monotypic prehistoric primate genera Old World monkeys Oligocene primates Priabonian genus first appearances Rupelian genus extinctions Oligocene mammals of Africa Fossils of Egypt Fossil taxa described in 1965 1965 in Egypt Faiyum Governorate