* . *
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Earth-News
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    Sacramento city leaders approve adding 2 entertainment zones in midtown – CBS News

    Sacramento City Leaders Approve Two Thrilling New Entertainment Zones in Midtown

    AMC brings first new Dolby Experience to Gwinnett since 2017 – Wyoming News Now

    AMC Launches First New Dolby Experience in Gwinnett Since 2017

    Hetzel Design: blending architecture and entertainment – Blooloop

    Hetzel Design: Where Architecture and Entertainment Unite in Perfect Harmony

    Country music legend rushed to hospital year after heart surgery. Here’s what we know – PennLive.com

    Country Music Legend Rushed to Hospital One Year After Heart Surgery – What’s Happening Now?

    Strictly Come Dancing results: Chris Robshaw is eliminated while drag queen La Voix escapes dance-off – Yahoo

    Strictly Come Dancing results: Chris Robshaw is eliminated while drag queen La Voix escapes dance-off – Yahoo

    Placer County town of Loomis considers entertainment zone for downtown – CBS News

    Loomis Unveils Thrilling New Entertainment Zone to Revitalize Downtown

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    Rydberg Technologies Inc. Announces Launch of Rydberg Photonics in Berlin – The Quantum Insider

    Rydberg Technologies Launches Exciting New Photonics Division in Berlin

    A look into new technology at Columbia University that could help prevent a dangerous pregnancy complication – ABC7 New York

    A look into new technology at Columbia University that could help prevent a dangerous pregnancy complication – ABC7 New York

    Office Technology: Dealers’ Managed IT Revenue up Nearly 30% – The Cannata Report –

    Office Technology: Dealers’ Managed IT Revenue up Nearly 30% – The Cannata Report –

    3 E Network Technology Group Limited Closes $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note Offering – Quiver Quantitative

    3 E Network Technology Group Limited Closes $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note Offering – Quiver Quantitative

    3 Technology Stocks to Buy Now – Yahoo Finance

    3 Must-Buy Tech Stocks You Can’t Afford to Miss Right Now

    ‘New frontier’: Austin leaders start discussions on air taxi technology – KXAN Austin

    Austin Leaders Ignite Exciting Conversations on the Future of Air Taxi Technology

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    Sacramento city leaders approve adding 2 entertainment zones in midtown – CBS News

    Sacramento City Leaders Approve Two Thrilling New Entertainment Zones in Midtown

    AMC brings first new Dolby Experience to Gwinnett since 2017 – Wyoming News Now

    AMC Launches First New Dolby Experience in Gwinnett Since 2017

    Hetzel Design: blending architecture and entertainment – Blooloop

    Hetzel Design: Where Architecture and Entertainment Unite in Perfect Harmony

    Country music legend rushed to hospital year after heart surgery. Here’s what we know – PennLive.com

    Country Music Legend Rushed to Hospital One Year After Heart Surgery – What’s Happening Now?

    Strictly Come Dancing results: Chris Robshaw is eliminated while drag queen La Voix escapes dance-off – Yahoo

    Strictly Come Dancing results: Chris Robshaw is eliminated while drag queen La Voix escapes dance-off – Yahoo

    Placer County town of Loomis considers entertainment zone for downtown – CBS News

    Loomis Unveils Thrilling New Entertainment Zone to Revitalize Downtown

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    Rydberg Technologies Inc. Announces Launch of Rydberg Photonics in Berlin – The Quantum Insider

    Rydberg Technologies Launches Exciting New Photonics Division in Berlin

    A look into new technology at Columbia University that could help prevent a dangerous pregnancy complication – ABC7 New York

    A look into new technology at Columbia University that could help prevent a dangerous pregnancy complication – ABC7 New York

    Office Technology: Dealers’ Managed IT Revenue up Nearly 30% – The Cannata Report –

    Office Technology: Dealers’ Managed IT Revenue up Nearly 30% – The Cannata Report –

    3 E Network Technology Group Limited Closes $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note Offering – Quiver Quantitative

    3 E Network Technology Group Limited Closes $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note Offering – Quiver Quantitative

    3 Technology Stocks to Buy Now – Yahoo Finance

    3 Must-Buy Tech Stocks You Can’t Afford to Miss Right Now

    ‘New frontier’: Austin leaders start discussions on air taxi technology – KXAN Austin

    Austin Leaders Ignite Exciting Conversations on the Future of Air Taxi Technology

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
Earth-News
No Result
View All Result
Home Science

Gigantopithecus Went Extinct between 295,000 and 215,000 Years Ago, New Study Says

January 11, 2024
in Science
Gigantopithecus Went Extinct between 295,000 and 215,000 Years Ago, New Study Says
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Gigantopithecus blacki, the largest ever primate and one of the largest species of the southeast Asian megafauna, persisted in China from about 2 million years until the Middle Pleistocene when it became extinct. New research shows that from 2.3 million years ago the environment was a mosaic of forests and grasses, providing ideal conditions for thriving Gigantopithecus blacki populations. However, just before and during the extinction window between 295,000 and 215,000  years ago there was enhanced environmental variability from increased seasonality, which caused changes in plant communities and an increase in open forest environments. Although its close relative, the Chinese orangutan (Pongo weidenreichi), managed to adapt its dietary preferences and behavior to this variability, Gigantopithecus blacki showed signs of chronic stress and dwindling populations; ultimately, its struggle to adapt led to the extinction of the greatest primate to ever inhabit the Earth.

An artist’s impression of a group of Gigantopithecus blacki within a forest in southern China. Image credit: Garcia / Joannes-Boyau, Southern Cross University.

An artist’s impression of a group of Gigantopithecus blacki within a forest in southern China. Image credit: Garcia / Joannes-Boyau, Southern Cross University.

Gigantopithecus blacki is an extinct, giant hominid that once inhabited dense forests of Southeast Asia.

As the name suggests, the giant primate was larger than gorillas, standing up to 3 m (10 feet) and weighing up to 540 kg (1,200 lb).

“Our current understanding of Gigantopithecus blacki derives from Early to Middle Pleistocene cave deposits in southern China between the Yangtze River and the South China Sea,” said Professor Yingqi Zhang from the Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Palaeoanthropology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and colleagues.

“This primate is known for its unusually large molars, atypical enamel thickness, estimated body height of about 3 m and mass of 200-300 kg, making it the largest primate ever to have existed on Earth.”

“Despite 85 years of searching, the Gigantopithecus blacki fossil record is restricted to four mandibles and almost 2,000 isolated teeth with no postcranial evidence.”

“Its initial discovery in an apothecary shop in Hong Kong as a ‘Dragon tooth’ initiated a search for the first in situ finds and culminated in the discovery of several cave sites in two main areas, Chongzuo and Bubing Basin, in the Guangxi province.”

“These sites contain crucial evidence for its survival and eventual demise.”

“It’s a major feat to present a defined cause for the extinction of a species, but establishing the exact time when a species disappears from the fossil record gives us a target timeframe for an environmental reconstruction and behavior assessment,” said Macquarie University geochronologist Dr. Kira Westaway.

“Without robust dating, you are simply looking for clues in the wrong places.”

To identify the potential causes of Gigantopithecus blacki extinction, the researchers applied a regional approach to 22 caves in Chongzuo and Bubing Basin that contained either Gigantopithecus blacki-bearing or non-Gigantopithecus blacki-bearing cave deposits.

Using a combination of previous excavations and recently-discovered caves, they identified and sampled fossil breccias for dating, paleoclimate proxies and behavioral analyses.

Six different dating techniques were applied to the cave sediments and fossils, producing 157 radiometric ages.

Luminescence dating, which measures a light-sensitive signal found in the burial sediments that encased Gigantopithecus blacki fossils, was the primary technique, supported by uranium series and electron-spin resonance dating of the Gigantopithecus blacki teeth themselves.

“By direct-dating the fossil remains, we confirmed their age aligns with the luminescence sequence in the sediments where they were found, giving us a comprehensive and reliable chronology for the extinction of Gigantopithecus blacki,” said Southern Cross University geochronologist Dr. Renaud Joannes-Boyau.

The findings show Gigantopithecus blacki went extinct between 295,000 and 215,000 years ago, much earlier than previously assumed.

Before this time, Gigantopithecus blacki flourished in a rich and diverse forest.

By 700,000 to 600,000 years ago, the environment became more variable due to the increase in the strength of the seasons, causing a change in the structure of the forest communities.

Orangutans such Pongo weidenreichi adapted their size, behavior and habitat preferences as conditions changed.

In comparison, Gigantopithecus blacki relied on a less nutritious back up food source when its preferences were unavailable, decreasing the diversity of its food.

The primate became less mobile, had a reduced geographic range for foraging, and faced chronic stress and dwindling numbers.

“Gigantopithecus blacki was the ultimate specialist, compared to the more agile adapters like orangutans, and this ultimately led to its demise,” Professor Zhang said.

“With the threat of a sixth mass extinction event looming over us, there is an urgent need to understand why species go extinct,” Dr. Westaway said.

“Exploring the reasons for past unresolved extinctions gives us a good starting point to understand primate resilience and the fate of other large animals, in the past and future.”

The findings appear today in the journal Nature.

_____

Y. Zhang et al. The demise of the giant ape Gigantopithecus blacki. Nature, published online January 10, 2024; doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-06900-0

>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : Sci-News.com – https://www.sci.news/paleontology/gigantopithecus-blacki-extinction-12599.html

Tags: ExtinctGigantopithecusscience
Previous Post

Man shot dead by police after pulling gun and staging stand-off at NSW medical centre

Next Post

Webb’s New View of Beta Pictoris Suggests Recent Massive Collision

Forest cover enhances pest control by birds and bats independently of vineyard management intensity – besjournals

Forest cover enhances pest control by birds and bats independently of vineyard management intensity – besjournals

October 22, 2025
November Family Consumer Science Program – Alachua County

November Family Consumer Science Program – Alachua County

October 22, 2025
Correction: Anti-Science Movement story – The News-Gazette

Unraveling the Truth Behind the Anti-Science Movement: A Closer Look

October 22, 2025
Best Burgers 2025: 9 cult-favorite burgers off the beaten path – Yahoo

Best Burgers 2025: 9 cult-favorite burgers off the beaten path – Yahoo

October 22, 2025
Rydberg Technologies Inc. Announces Launch of Rydberg Photonics in Berlin – The Quantum Insider

Rydberg Technologies Launches Exciting New Photonics Division in Berlin

October 22, 2025
Forbes Unveils First-Ever “Most Powerful Women In Sports” List, Featuring 25 Of The Trailblazers Transforming The Industry, Including Gayle Benson, Caitlin Clark, Michele Kang, Serena Williams And More – Forbes

Meet the 25 Trailblazing Women Revolutionizing the World of Sports, Featuring Gayle Benson, Caitlin Clark, Michele Kang, Serena Williams and More

October 22, 2025
Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky remembered for his impact on the chess world – NPR

Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky: Honoring a Timeless Chess Legacy

October 22, 2025
Seattle’s Creative Economy: Building Talent, Culture, and Community – GeekWire

Seattle’s Creative Economy: How Talent, Culture, and Community Are Shaping the Future

October 22, 2025
Sacramento city leaders approve adding 2 entertainment zones in midtown – CBS News

Sacramento City Leaders Approve Two Thrilling New Entertainment Zones in Midtown

October 22, 2025
Self-efficacy mediates the effect of hope on health promotion intention in Chinese stroke patients – Nature

How Hope Boosts Health Motivation in Chinese Stroke Patients Through Self-Efficacy

October 22, 2025

Categories

Archives

October 2025
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Sep    
Earth-News.info

The Earth News is an independent English-language daily published Website from all around the World News

Browse by Category

  • Business (20,132)
  • Ecology (881)
  • Economy (902)
  • Entertainment (21,773)
  • General (17,746)
  • Health (9,943)
  • Lifestyle (915)
  • News (22,149)
  • People (903)
  • Politics (912)
  • Science (16,113)
  • Sports (21,402)
  • Technology (15,882)
  • World (885)

Recent News

Forest cover enhances pest control by birds and bats independently of vineyard management intensity – besjournals

Forest cover enhances pest control by birds and bats independently of vineyard management intensity – besjournals

October 22, 2025
November Family Consumer Science Program – Alachua County

November Family Consumer Science Program – Alachua County

October 22, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

Go to mobile version