Ouranopithecus

Ouranopithecus is an extinct genus of hominoid primate that lived in Greece during the Late Miocene epoch, approximately 9 to 7 million years ago. Fossil remains attributed to Ouranopithecus have been discovered in the Pikermi and Halikarnassos regions of Greece. The genus is represented by two species, Ouranopithecus macedoniensis and Ouranopithecus turkae.

The fossil evidence suggests that Ouranopithecus was a medium-sized ape, with estimated body masses ranging from 10 to 30 kilograms. Its skeletal features indicate a capacity for both arboreal and terrestrial locomotion. The dentition, particularly the large molars with thick enamel, suggests a diet that included tough, fibrous plant matter, possibly nuts and seeds.

Ouranopithecus is considered a significant find in understanding hominoid evolution in Europe during the Miocene. Its phylogenetic position is debated, with some researchers placing it closer to the ancestors of orangutans, while others consider it a more generalized hominoid that may have links to the lineage leading to African apes and humans. The discovery of Ouranopithecus contributes to the complex picture of hominoid dispersal and diversification across Eurasia during the Miocene.