A recent study published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Madelaine Böhme and David R. Begun, along with colleagues, revealed that ancient apes in Germany co-existed by partitioning resources in their environment. The Hammerschmiede fossil site in Bavaria, Germany is well-known for exceptional remains of the ancient great ape Danuvius, dating back to the late Miocene Epoch 11.6 million years ago. However, a recent discovery has identified a second species of great ape from the same stratigraphic layer as Danuvius, named Buronius manfredschmidi.
Buronius manfredschmidi is represented by partial remains of two teeth and one patella, with distinct size and shape compared to Danuvius and all other known apes. The structure of the teeth and patella suggests that Buronius was an adept climber with a diet primarily consisting of soft foods such as leaves. Estimated to be around 10kg in weight, Buronius is now recognized as the smallest known great ape. These unique features indicate that Buronius had a different lifestyle compared to Danuvius, with a diet of tougher foods, allowing the two species to coexist in the same habitat without competing for resources, much like modern gibbons and orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra.
The discovery of Buronius manfredschmidi at Hammerschmiede marks the first known example of a European Miocene fossil site with multiple ancient ape species. This finding challenges previous beliefs that no Miocene sites in Europe had more than one species of fossil ape. The interaction between the two species, Buronius and Danuvius, demonstrates a unique cohabiting behavior that likely played a role in partitioning resources within their environment. This insight sheds light on the complexity of ancient ape ecosystems and how different species adapted to their surroundings.
The researchers note that the distinct characteristics of Buronius suggest a lifestyle focused on climbing and consuming soft foods, in contrast to Danuvius, which had a larger body size and a diet of tougher foods. The coexistence of these two species provides a glimpse into the diversity of ancient ape species in Europe during the Miocene Epoch and highlights the potential for further discoveries at similar fossil sites. By re-examining other sites, scientists may uncover additional examples of multiple ape species sharing habitats and evolving unique strategies to thrive in their environments.
Overall, the discovery of Buronius manfredschmidi at the Hammerschmiede fossil site in Germany offers valuable insights into the ancient ape ecosystems of the late Miocene Epoch. The coexistence of Buronius and Danuvius through resource partitioning highlights the adaptive strategies employed by different ape species to thrive in their shared habitats. This groundbreaking research not only expands our understanding of ancient ape diversity in Europe but also underscores the importance of re-evaluating fossil sites to uncover new information about prehistoric ecosystems and the interactions between different species.