Gigantopithecus was a genus of ape that existed from as long ago as five million years to as recently as 100 thousand years ago in what today are China, India, and Vietnam, placing Gigantopithecus in the same time frame and geographical location as early hominids such as Homo erectus. The fossil record suggests that the Gigantopithecus species were the largest apes that ever lived. It was probably a quadruped and an herbivore, existing on a diet primarily of bamboo, possibly supplemented with seasonal fruits. However, recent theory suggests it was a generalist in its eating habits. Although it is not known why Gigantopithecus died out, researchers believe that climate change and resource competition with better adapted species were the main culprits. For other uses, see Genus (disambiguation). ... This article is about the biological superfamily. ... Binomial name (Dubois, 1892) Synonyms † Sinanthropus pekinensis † Javanthropus soloensis † Meganthropus paleojavanicus Homo erectus (Latin: upright man) is an extinct species of the genus Homo. ... The Zebra is an example of a quadruped. ... A deer and two fawns feeding on some foliage A herbivore is often defined as any organism that eats only plants[1]. By that definition, many fungi, some bacteria, many animals, about 1% of flowering plants and some protists can be considered herbivores. ... A generalist species is able to thrive in a wide variety of environmental conditions, and if a heterotroph, has a varied diet. ...

One study site, Liucheng Cave in Liuzhou-China, has produced numerous Gigantopithecus blacki teeth though there may have been other sites yielding such finds in Vietnam. These finds seem to suggest the foraging range of Gigantopithecus was southeast Asia.

Evidence of a separate species, Gigantopithecus giganteus, has been found in northern India and China. In China, teeth of this species were discovered in Daxin, in limestone formations of the Guangxi region, and at Wuming, north of Nanning.

Molar (Holotype) of Giganthopithecus blacki, in the background Prof. Friedemann Schrenk

Based on the slim fossil evidence--primarily huge molars nearly one inch square recovered from Chinese traditional medicine shops, but clearly genuine - Gigantopithecus likely stood about 3 metres (9 feet) tall and weighed from 300 to 500 kg (660 to 1100 lbs.). This is two to three times larger than modern gorillas, although its closest living relatives are the orangutans. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 536 pixelsFull resolution (1800 × 1205 pixel, file size: 59 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Holotype (molar) of Giganthopithecus blacki, in the background Prof. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 536 pixelsFull resolution (1800 × 1205 pixel, file size: 59 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Holotype (molar) of Giganthopithecus blacki, in the background Prof. ... Molars are the rearmost and most complicated kind of tooth in most mammals. ... A holotype is one of several possible types. ... For other uses, see Fossil (disambiguation). ... Type species Troglodytes gorilla Savage, 1847 distribution of Gorilla Species Gorilla gorilla Gorilla beringei The gorilla, the largest of the living primates, is a ground-dwelling omnivore that inhabits the forests of Africa. ... Type species Simia pygmaeus Linnaeus, 1760 Orangutan distribution Species Pongo pygmaeus Pongo abelii The orangutans are two species of great apes known for their intelligence and their long arms and reddish-brown hair. ...

Gigantopithecines in Cryptozoology

Some cryptozoologists have claimed that a race of Gigantopithecines are the legendary primates known in various geographic locations as Bigfoot, Yowie, Yeren, Skunk Ape or Yeti. Cryptozoology is the study of rumored or mythological animals that are presumed to exist, but for which conclusive proof does not yet exist; or are generally considered extinct, but occasionally reported. ... It has been suggested that Evidence regarding Bigfoot be merged into this article or section. ... Yowie can refer to either of two mythical creatures of Australian folklore: The name has been applied to an Australian cryptid analogous to the American bigfoot. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Skunk Ape or Florida Skunk Ape is a hominid cryptid said to inhabit the Southeastern United States. ... “Abominable Snowman” redirects here. ...

In popular culture

• A 'mock'-umentary about Skull Island on the DVD for the 2005 remake of the film King Kong suggests that Kong's species evolved from Gigantopithecus.

Denhams map to Skull Island, as seen in King Kong (2005). ... Size comparison: A 12 cm Sony DVD+RW and a 19 cm Dixon Ticonderoga pencil. ... King Kong is a New Zealand/United States adventure/fantasy movie remake of the original 1933 movie. ... King Kong in the 1933 film. ...

References

• History Channel, The, "Giganto: The Real King Kong" (Dec. 15, 2005).
• http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-11/mu-gal111005.php"
• Ralph von Koenigswald, Franz Weidenreich, and Gigantopithecus