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The Extinct Giant Orangutan, Gigantopithecus, That Roamed Asia

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Author Jen Fitschen, BSc Computer Science and Oceanography

Gigantopithecus
Gigantopithecus lower jaw (cast) from the Cenozoic of eastern Asia. Public display, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. James St. John, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Long before these forests faced human-induced threats, an even larger ape, the giant orangutan, Gigantopithecus blacki, roamed Asia. However, in the dense rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, present-day orangutans grapple with the challenges of deforestation and ecological devastation. Gigantopithecus, standing at an estimated height of 3 meters and weighing a colossal 200–300 kilograms, holds the title of the largest primate ever to walk the Earth.

Gigantopithecus: Enigmatic Giants of Evolution

Gigantopithecus
Gigantopithecus. Concavenator, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gigantopithecus belongs to the hominoid family, making it a distant cousin of modern orangutans. Despite its colossal size, the limited fossil evidence available consists only of teeth and jawbones. Scientists, therefore, have the challenging task of reconstructing the lifestyle, appearance, and size of these ancient giants based on these fragmentary remains.

Larger Than Life: Gigantopithecus vs. Modern Apes

A scale diagram showing an attempted approximation of a maximally large Gigantopithecus blacki based on known fossil elements, shown rearing on two feet for a better comparison with a 180 cm tall human male. Mettiina, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Extrapolations from jaw size suggest that Gigantopithecus surpassed even the mighty mountain gorilla in size, standing over nine feet tall and weighing between 440-660 pounds. Notably, researchers believe in significant sexual dimorphism, with males being considerably larger than females. Unlike male gorillas with intimidating canine teeth, Gigantopithecus exhibited relatively small canines, hinting at a different social structure than their modern counterparts.

Herbivorous Giants: Diet and Lifestyle

Holotype (molar) of Giganthopithecus blacki, in the background Prof. Friedemann Schrenk, Senckenberg-Institut, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Gerbil, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Contrary to their gigantic size, there is no evidence that Gigantopithecus was a carnivore. The morphology of their teeth suggests a diet comprising leaves, stems, fruit, and tough, abrasive foods. Over their 1.7 million-year existence, the teeth of these primordial hominoids evolved, growing progressively larger until their eventual extinction.

The Mystery of Extinction

Exhibit in the San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego, California, USA. This artwork is old enough so that it is in the public domain. Photography was permitted in the museum without restriction. Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gigantopithecus’ existence spanned from two million to 300,000 years ago during the Early and Middle Pleistocene. The precise cause of their extinction remains elusive, with climate change being the commonly proposed reason. As global cooling altered the environment, their forest habitats dwindled, ultimately leading to their demise. Intriguingly, some enthusiasts link Gigantopithecus to cryptids like the Yeti, proposing the survival of a small population into modern times.

Primate Extinction Crisis: A Contemporary Parallel

This is a comparison graph comparing the hight of a 1.8 meter tall human male with Gigantopithecus species. This graph is based on orangutan proportions in a bipedal stance. It is most likely that Gigantopithecus would have spent most of its time in a quadrupedal stance on all fours. Discott, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

While Gigantopithecus faced extinction due to environmental changes, today’s primates confront human-induced threats. As of 2021, all great ape species, including chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and bonobos, are at risk of extinction. The situation is dire for other primates, with 96% of gibbons and 71% of lemurs facing potential extinction. Madagascar’s lemurs, in particular, are critically endangered due to rapid deforestation.

Conclusion

A replica of a Gigantopithecus jaw on display in the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History’s Diversity of Life exhibits. Jonathan Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In conclusion, Gigantopithecus, the largest hominoid to grace our planet, left an indelible mark on Earth’s evolutionary timeline. Their mysterious extinction serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life. As we strive to save the remaining primates from the brink of extinction, let Gigantopithecus’s story spur us to protect and preserve the incredible diversity of life that still graces our planet.

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