A Summary of Adapiform Systematics and Phylogeny

Abstract

The systematics of all adapiforms is reviewed at the generic and specific levels. A new classification is proposed for the 30 genera of adapiforms, containing three families: Notharctidae, Adapidae and Sivaladapidae; and one subfamily of uncertain affinities, the new Pronycticebinae. A stratophenetic schema summarizing the distribution and phylogenetic relationships of all European adapiforms, Cercamoniinae, Notharctinae and Adapidae, is given. The particular characters of the skull of Pronycticebus gaudryi warrant its isolation in a separate subfamily Pronycticebinae, nocturnal adapiforms which are of special significance for lemuriform ancestry. Agerinia might pertain to the same group. Four genera are proposed as adapids outside the European adapine radiation. Amphipithecinae and several other Asiatic genera of uncertain affinities are discussed.