Gigantopithecus

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iGigantopthecus
Fossil range: Pleistocene

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Primates
Family:	Hominidae
Subfamily:	Ponginae
Genus:	Gigantopithecus von Koenigswald, 1935

Species

Gigantopithecus blacki
Gigantopithecus bilaspurensis Gigantipithecus giganteus

Gigantopithecus was a genus of ape that existed from as long ago as 5 million years to as recently as 100 thousand years ago in what are today the countries of China, India, and Vietnam, placing Gigantopithecus in the same timeframe and geographical location as early hominids, such as Homo erectus. The fossil record suggests that the Gigantopithecus species were the largest apes that ever lived. It was probably a quadruped and an herbivore and with a diet that consisted primarily of bamboo, possibly supplemented with seasonal fruits, although recent theory suggests it was a generalist in its eating habits. Although it is not known why Gigantopithecus died out, researchers believe that climate change and resource competition with better adapted species were the main reasons.

One study site, Liucheng Cave in Liuzhou China has produced numerous Gigantopithecus blacki teeth, though there may have been other sites declaring such finds in Viet Nam giving rise to suggest the range of Gigantopithecus foraging was south east Asia. A separate species, Gigantopithecus giganteus, was also found in northern India.

Image:Munns clear.jpg

Bill Munns creates realistic statues of endangered and extinct apes.

Image:F. Schrenk mit Gigantopithecus-Molar 2005.jpg Based on the slim fossil evidence, primarily huge molars, nearly one inch square teeth, recovered from Chinese traditional medicine shops, but clearly genuine, Gigantopithecus was likely about 3 metres tall and weighed from 300 to 500 kg — 2 to 3 times larger than gorillas, although its closest living relatives are the orangutans.

Some cryptozoologists have claimed that a race of gigantopithecines are the legendary primates known in various geographic locations as Bigfoot, Yowie, Yeren, Skunk Ape or Yeti. A mock documentary about Skull Island on the DVD for the 2005 remake of the film King Kong suggests that Kong's species evolved from Gigantopithecus.