References & Sources - January 9, 1999

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Fossil ape's grasp gets two thumbs way up

A fossil ape that lived at least 7 million years ago may have been capable of using its hands and fingers in strikingly humanlike ways.

References:

Moyà-Solà, S., M. Köhler, and L. Rook. 1999. Evidence of hominid-like precision grip capability in the hand of the Miocene ape Oreopithecus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 96(Jan. 5):313.

Further Readings:

Bower, B. 1997. Ancient ape shuffles to prominence. Science News 152(Oct. 18):244.

Sources:

Salvador Moyà-Solà
Institut de Paleontologia M. Crusafont
c/Escola Industrial, 23
08201 Sabadell, Barcelona
Spain

From Science News, Vol. 155, No. 2, January 9, 1999, p. 23. Copyright © 1999, Science Service.

Copyright 1999 Science Service