The most well-known species within the genus is Kalingaensis pithecia, which is known from several fossil specimens found in the Siwaliks of India. These fossils include partial skeletons and isolated teeth, providing valuable insights into the anatomy and dentition of the species. Kalingaensis pithecia is estimated to have weighed around 1.5 to 2.5 kilograms and had a body length of about 40 to 50 centimeters, making it one of the smallest known primates from the Miocene epoch.
One of the most distinctive features of Kalingaensis is its dental morphology. The genus is characterized by a unique combination of primitive and derived dental traits, such as the presence of a large, conical incisor and a reduced number of premolars. These dental features suggest that Kalingaensis had a diet that was intermediate between that of modern primates and other early Miocene primates.
The fossil record of Kalingaensis is relatively sparse, with only a few specimens having been discovered to date. This scarcity of material has made it challenging for researchers to fully understand the ecology and behavior of the genus. However, the available evidence suggests that Kalingaensis was likely a small, arboreal primate that inhabited the forests of the Miocene epoch.
The classification of Kalingaensis within the primate family tree is still a matter of debate among researchers. Some studies suggest that Kalingaensis is a member of the subfamily Lorisinae, which includes modern lorises and galagos. However, other researchers have proposed alternative classifications, placing Kalingaensis within different subfamilies or even outside the primate order altogether.
In conclusion, Kalingaensis is an important genus in the study of early primate evolution, despite the limited fossil record available. The unique dental morphology and small body size of Kalingaensis provide valuable insights into the diversity of early primates and their adaptations to different ecological niches. Further research and the discovery of new fossil specimens are likely to shed more light on the biology and classification of this enigmatic genus.