Proconsul (mammal)

Proconsul is a genus of extinct primates that lived in Africa during the Miocene epoch, from approximately 23 to 14 million years ago. Fossil remains of Proconsul have been found in Kenya, Uganda, and possibly Libya.

Proconsul is considered a key genus in understanding the evolutionary history of apes and humans, although its exact position in the hominoid (apes and humans) family tree remains debated. Some researchers consider Proconsul to be a stem ape, meaning it represents a form close to the ancestry of all modern apes, while others view it as more closely related to some lineages of apes than others.

Proconsul species varied in size, ranging from that of a small monkey to a large baboon. Their dentition suggests a diet primarily of fruit, supplemented with leaves and other vegetation. Their limb proportions suggest a more quadrupedal lifestyle than modern apes, possibly spending a significant amount of time on the ground. Unlike modern apes, Proconsul lacked a tail.

Several species of Proconsul have been identified, including Proconsul africanus, Proconsul nyanzae, and Proconsul major. These species are differentiated based on variations in dental and skeletal morphology.

The discovery of Proconsul fossils has been vital for understanding the origins and early evolution of the ape lineage in Africa. Further research continues to refine our understanding of Proconsul's place in primate evolution and its relationship to the ancestors of modern apes and humans.