A model of the biogeographical journey from Proto-pan to Pan paniscus.
Pan paniscus is unique in the group of African apes because of its range south of the Congo River. Examination of the bio-geographical journey of the genus Pan to the species P. paniscus is important when discussing the evolution of African apes. This paper is a review of the paleo-geographic events, the zoogeography, and faunal sorting which influenced P. paniscus divergence from the Proto-pan ancestor within the recent Miocene through Pliocene Epochs, approximately 10-2 MYA. Finally, by elucidating modern day evidence of food plant forms in the southern periphery exploited by P. paniscus in the forest/savanna mosaic habitat, we are able to conclude with those extrinsic events that most influenced the occurrence and distribution of P. paniscus.
Myers Thompson
Jo A
JA
Lukuru Wildlife Research Project, P.O. Box 5064, Snowmass Village, CO 81615-5064, USA. jat434@aol.com
D000349:Africa; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002980:Climate; D004032:Diet; D017753:Ecosystem; D004777:Environment; D005638:Fruit; D005843:Geography; D019974:Pan paniscus / Q000502:physiology*; D011157:Population Dynamics