Carpolestes simpsoni

Taxobox
name = "Carpolestes simpsoni"
fossil_range = Paleocene

---

image_width = 200px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = †Plesiadapiformes
superfamilia = †Carpolestoidea
familia = †Carpolestidae
genus = †"Carpolestes"
species = †"C. simpsoni"
binomial = †"Carpolestes simpsoni"
binomial_authority = Bloch and Gingerich, 1998

"Carpolestes simpsoni" is an extinct species of Plesiadapiformes, which is one of the earliest primate-like mammals appearing in the fossil record during the late Paleocene. "C. simpsoni" had grasping digits but no forward facing eyes.

Weighing about 100 grams, "C. simpsoni" appeared adapted for an arboreal habitat. One large, nail-tipped toe opposed other toes, allowing a firm grip on branches. Like other species of "Carpolestes", the dental morphology of "C. simpsoni" is specially adapted to eating fruit, seeds, and invertebrates.cite journal | author = Biknevicius, A.R. | year = 1983 | title = Dental function and diet in the Carpolestidae (Primates, Plesiadapiformes) | journal = American Journal of Physical Anthropology | volume = 71 | issue = 2 | pages = 157–171 | doi = 10.1002/ajpa.1330710204]

References

External links

* [http://www.fmnh.helsinki.fi/users/haaramo/Metazoa/Deuterostoma/Chordata/Synapsida/Eutheria/Plesiadapiformes/plesiadapiformes.htm Mikko's Phylogeny Archive]
* [http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/11/1121_021121_PrimateOrigins.html National Geographic source]