Danuvius guggenmosi is an ancient ape species. This primate lived approximately 11.6 million years ago during the Miocene period in what is now southern Germany. Its fossil remains were significant due to their unexpected location and the unique combination of skeletal features. This discovery provides new perspectives on the early stages of ape and human evolution.
The Discovery and Physical Traits
The fossilized remains of Danuvius guggenmosi were unearthed between 2015 and 2018 in the Hammerschmiede clay pit in Bavaria, Germany. A total of 37 specimens were recovered from at least four individuals: an adult male, two adult females, and a juvenile. The most complete skeleton, from a male, provided significant anatomical insights.
Scientists estimated the male Danuvius weighed around 31 kg (68 lbs), while females were smaller, weighing approximately 17 to 19 kg (37 to 42 lbs). Its height was about 1 meter (3.3 feet). The fossil evidence, including limb bones and vertebrae, revealed a body structure with proportions similar to modern-day bonobos.
Unraveling Its Unique Movement
Analysis of Danuvius fossils revealed its unique locomotion. The ape exhibited traits suggesting both arboreal (tree-dwelling) capabilities and bipedalism. Its robust finger bones, wrist, and elbow joints indicated a strong grip and adaptations for bearing weight with its arms.
The legs also showed adaptations for load-bearing, particularly at the knee joint. The S-shaped curve of its spine suggested an ability to hold the body upright when standing. Researchers described its movement as “extended limb clambering,” where it could walk directly along tree branches and also use its arms for suspension. It did not engage in knuckle-walking, a common form of locomotion in some modern great apes.
Its Place in Human Evolution
The discovery of Danuvius guggenmosi has influenced discussions about the origins of bipedalism and the common ancestor of humans and great apes. Previously, evidence for early bipedalism pointed to Africa, with examples like Orrorin tugenensis dating back about 6 million years. Danuvius, at 11.6 million years old, suggests adaptations for upright walking appeared much earlier and potentially in Europe.
This ancient ape’s skeletal features, such as a broad chest, a long lumbar spine, and extended hips and knees, align with those seen in bipeds. These characteristics, combined with elongated forelimbs typical of apes, provide a model for the last common ancestor between humans and other apes. The mosaic of traits in Danuvius indicates diverse locomotor strategies among Miocene apes, challenging the idea of a single, linear progression towards bipedalism. The findings suggest the evolutionary path to human bipedalism was more complex, with different forms of upright movement evolving in various ape lineages long before hominins emerged in Africa.