Gigantopithecus

American  

[jahy-gan-toh-pi-thee-kuhs, -pith-i-kuhs, ji-] / dʒaɪˌgæn toʊ pɪˈθi kəs, -ˈpɪθ ɪ kəs, dʒɪ- /

noun

1. a genus of extinct ape of southern Asia existing during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs, known only from very large fossil jaws and teeth and believed to be perhaps the biggest hominoid that ever lived.

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Etymology

Origin of Gigantopithecus

1940–45; < New Latin < Greek gigant- (stem of gígās ) giant + -o- -o- + píthēkos ape

Example Sentences

The samples included both modern and archaic humans such as Neanderthals, early human ancestors like Australopithecus africanus, and extinct great apes including Gigantopithecus blacki.

From Science Daily

Prior to 700,000 years ago, Gigantopithecus and Pongo weidenreichi lived in forests with overhead canopies where they ate leaves, fruits, and flowers, with delectable vegetation available much of the year round.

From National Geographic

A relative of today’s orangutan, Pongo weidenreichi, lived through whatever changes had doomed Gigantopithecus.

From National Geographic

As the seasonal changes became more pronounced and the forest became more open, however, Gigantopithecus had a difficult time finding preferred foods.

From National Geographic

Never has there been a primate as big as Gigantopithecus blacki.

From National Geographic