Can Llobateres: The pattern and timing of the Vallesian hominoid radiation reconsidered

New biostratigraphic data and paleomagnetic analysis of the site of Can Llobateres (Northeastern Spain) allows an age-estimation of 9.6 Ma for the recently discovered Dryopithecus laietanus facial remains (CL1-18000) and 9.7 Ma for the earlier hominoid finds from this locality. This is an unexpectedly young age for such a primitive form, which can be accurately correlated with some of the finds of youngest Sivapithecus in the Silwaliks. According to the phylogenetic model proposed here, Dryopithecus displayed along period (some 5 Ma) of morphological stasis in Europe, which could be related to the preservation of subtropical forest conditions in the Western Mediterranean. In other parts of Southern Eurasia (Eastern Mediterranean and Siwaliks), quick vicarious evolution led to the diversification of thick-enamelled hominoids between 14 Ma and 12 Ma. (C) Academic Press Limited