Gigantopithecus Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Pleistocene (1.0–0.5 MYA)
Gigantopithecus (Latin for "Giant Ape") is an extinct genus of apes. As the name indicates, these were remarkably large animals, possibly attaining an adult height of over three meters (ten feet) and a weight of 550 kg (1,200 lb) — much larger and heavier than current-day gorillas. They lived in Asia, and probably inhabited the bamboo forests; they are often found together with extinct ancestors of the panda.
The only known fossils of Gigantopithecus are a few teeth and part of a maxilla (jaw bone) and mandible. These are appreciably larger than those of living gorillas, but the exact size and structure of the rest of the body can only be estimated in the absence of additional findings.
Gigantopithecus' method of locomotion is uncertain, as no pelvis or leg bone has been found. The dominant view is that it walked on all fours like modern gorillas and chimpanzees; however, a minority opinion, notably championed by the late Grover Krantz, holds that the mandible shape and structure suggests bipedal locomotion.
In the past, it has been thought that Gigantopithecus was an ancestor of humans, on the basis of molar evidence; this is now regarded a result of convergent evolution. Gigantopithecus is now placed in the subfamily Ponginae along with the orangutan.
Enthusiasts of the Yeti or "Abominable Snowman" and Bigfoot theorize that these creatures could be present-day specimens of Gigantopithecus. Without additional evidence, this suggestion must be regarded as highly speculative.