Gigantopithecus is an extinct genus of apes (see
Hominidae). As the name (
giant ape) indicates, these were large animals, even larger than current-day gorrila
?s. They lived in
Asia, and probably peopled the bamboo
? forests; they are often found together with extinct ancestors of the
panda. In the past, it has been thought that Gigantopithecus was related to the
hominids because of molar evidence; now this is regarded a result of [convergent evolution]
?, and Gigantopithecus is regarded to be more closely related to the
orangutan than to African apes and humans.
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