Darwinius Fossil
Darwinius is a genus of Adapiformes, a group of basal or stem group primates from the Eocene epoch. Its only known species is Darwinius masillae, dated to 47 million years ago (Lutetian stage) based on dating of the fossil site. The genus Darwinius was named to celebrate Charles Darwin on his bicentenary and the species name masillae honors Messel where the specimen was found. The creature appeared superficially similar to a modern lemur.
The only known fossil, dubbed Ida, was discovered in 1983 at the Messel pit, a disused shale quarry noted for its astonishing fossil preservation, near the village of Messel, about 35 km (22 mi) southeast of Frankfurt am Main. The fossil, divided into a slab and partial counterslab after the amateur excavation and sold separately, was not reassembled until 2006.
The authors of the paper describing Darwinius classified it as a member of the primate family Notharctidae, subfamily Cercamoniinae, suggesting that it has the status of a significant transitional form (a missing link) between the prosimian and simian (anthropoid) primate lineages. Others have disagreed with this.
Concerns have been raised about the claims made about the fossil's relative importance, and the publicising of the fossil before adequate information was available for scrutiny by the academic community.
Darwinius Wikipedia
In the News ...
Ida: Primate fossil 'not an ancestor' BBC - October 21, 2009
The exceptionally well-preserved fossil primate known as "Ida" is not a missing link as some have claimed.
Scientists hail stunning fossil of a 47-million-year-old, lemur-like creature BBC - May 19, 2009
Ida ... 'Missing link' primate likely to stir debate MSNBC - May 19, 2009
Blog: Myth of the Missing Link Live Science - May 20, 2009
Blog: Why 'Ida' Inspires Navel-Gazing at Our Ancestry Live Science - May 20, 2009
Ancient Human Ancestor 'Ida' Discovered - Missing Link? Live Science - May 19, 2009
New Fossil Primate Links Humans, Lemurs? National Geographic - May 19, 2009
Common Ancestor Of Humans, Modern Primates? 'Extraordinary' Fossil Is 47 Million Years Old Science Daily - May 19, 2009
In what could prove to be a landmark discovery, a leading paleontologist said scientists have dug up the 47 million-year-old fossil of an ancient primate whose features suggest it could be the common ancestor of all later monkeys, apes and humans.
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