Diet and Habitat of Siwalik PrimatesIndopithecus, SivaladapisandTheropithecus

Abstract

We present dental enamel stable carbon and oxygen isotope data, histological analyses of daily cross striations and perikymata, and microwear data of Late Miocene primates Indopithecus and Sivaladapis nagrii and an early Pleistocene primate Theropithecus delsoni, known from the Indian Siwaliks. The results indicate that the Late Miocene giant ape Indopithecus had a C3 diet, likely including nuts, seeds and fruits with hard cover, and most probably lived in a seasonal forest that experienced long dry and wet seasons. While the seasons changed as depicted by intra-annual variation in δ18O values, the C3 component of diet was similar throughout the year, as indicated by consistent δ13C values. Sivaladapis nagrii dental enamel δ13C and δ18O values, striations and pit percentages indicate that this small primate (3 kg) was a C3 mixed folivore-frugivore. Theropithecus delsoni dental enamel δ13C and δ18O values and microwear pattern indicate a diet comprising mainly C4 grasses or sedges.