Himalayan Geology Vol.22 (2), 2001, pp.29-34, Printed in India.

The Taxonomic Status of the Siwalik Late Miocoene Hominid Indopithecus (= Gigantopithecus)

DAVID W. CAMERON
Department of Anatomy & Histology, University of Sydney, NSW Australia 2006

This paper re-examines the taxonomic status of the Siwalik hominid traditionally allocated to ‘Gigantopthecus’. It is argued here that this hominid should be reallocated to Indopithecus Pilgrim, 1915. This conclusion is based on differential patterns of mandibular and dental morphology observed between these taxa. It is also suggested that any similarities between these taxa is a result of functional convergence. They are sufficiently different in their morphology and by inference their mods of mastication to be considered generically distinct. The phylogenetic significance of these hominids remains obscure as mandibular form is largely the result of function, rather than phylogenetic history.