Chipetaia Explained

Chipetaia is an extinct genus of primate in the family Omomyidae containing the sole species Chipetaia lamporea known from the middle Eocene of North America. Described in 1996 by D. Tab Rasmussen, the species is known from fossil teeth as well as femur fragments and hind foot bones^{[1] [2]} Estimates of life weight based on size of teeth and leg bones range from 500to^[2] to as high as 1000g.^{[3] [4]} The genus name honors Native American Ute diplomat Chipeta, while the specific name is Greek for "of the Shining Mountains," the Ute name for the Rocky Mountains.^[1]

Notes and References

1. Rasmussen. D. Tab. A new Middle Eocene omomyine primate from the Uinta Basin, Utah. Journal of Human Evolution. 1996. 31. 1. 75–87. 10.1006/jhev.1996.0051. 1996JHumE..31...75R .
2. Dunn. Rachel H.. Sybalsky. Julia M.. Conroy. Glenn C.. Rasmussen. D. Tab. Hindlimb adaptations in Ourayia and Chipetaia, relatively large-bodied omomyine primates from the Middle Eocene of Utah. American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 2006. 131. 3. 303–310. 10.1002/ajpa.20407. 16617428.
3. Book: Fleagle, John G.. Primate Adaptation and Evolution. 3rd. 2013. Academic Press. 978-0-12-378633-3. 252.
4. Book: Rasmussen. D. Tab. Conroy. Glenn C.. Friscia. Anthony R.. Townsend. K. Elizabeth. Kinkel. Mary D.. Gillette. David D.. Vertebrate Paleontology in Utah. 1999. Utah Geological Survey. Salt Lake City. 1-55791-634-9. 407–408. Mammals of the Middle Eocene Uinta Formation.