Maxillae and associated gnathodental specimens of Nacholapithecus kerioi, a large-bodied hominoid from Nachola, northern Kenya

The middle Miocene large-bodied hominoid from Nachola, initially attributed to Kenyapithecus, was recently transferred to a new genus and species Nacholapithecus kerioi. The hypodigm of N. kerioi consists of numerous maxillae, mandibles, and isolated teeth, as well as a number of postcranial bones. A detailed description of the previously discovered postcranial material has already been presented. This article aims to give a detailed description of maxillary specimens (including some mandibular fragments associated with them) of N. kerioi collected by the Japan-Kenya Joint Project team during the field seasons of 1982, 1984, and 1986. The maxillary specimens of N. kerioi retain a set of primitive catarrhine features, such as a relatively shallow palate, low position of the anterior zygomatic root, and the lack of enlarged premolars. Yet, compared to the Early Miocene Proconsul, N. kerioi is derived in having a moderately elongated subnasal clivus that appears to have overlapped the hard palate. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.