Although the best record of proconsulids is found in Africa, specimens have also been found in Asia, suggesting that proconsulids migrated to Asia in the early Miocene (Fleagle 1999). The first radiation of fossil apes, the proconsulids, occurred in Africa from the late Oligocene to the middle Miocene. Finally, unlike all other primates, apes lack a tail (Fleagle, 1999).Īlthough there are only five extant ape genera, several ape genera have been identified in the fossil record. Apes also have a broad, short thorax, as opposed to the long, narrow thorax found in monkeys.

These anatomical features enable apes to have a wide range of overhead movement and aid in suspensory locomotion. In addition to having long forelimbs, apes have a dorsally positioned scapula and globular humeral head. Relatively long forelimbs are attributed to the highly suspensory behavior of all non-human apes. First, apes typically have longer forelimbs than hindlimbs, the only exception to this trend being humans. Apes are anatomically distinct from monkeys in several ways. Hominoidea includes gibbons and siamangs (Hylobatidae), commonly referred to as the lesser apes, and orangutans (Ponginae), gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and humans (Homininae), often referred to as the great apes (Hartwig, 2002). Gorillas ( Gorilla gorilla) are apes and belong to Hominoidea.

Silverback gorilla skull