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'''Darwinius masillae''' is the scientific name of the new "missing link" primate fossil discovered in the 1980s and recently publicized. Dubbed "Ida," the fossil has been called the "Holy Grail of human evolution"<ref>http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2009/05/19/2009-05-19_missing_link_found_fossil_of_47_millionyearold_primate_sheds_light_on_.html</ref> and the "Eight wonder of the world."
'''Darwinius masillae''' is the [[scientific]] name of the new "missing link" [[primate]] fossil discovered in the 1983 and recently publicized. Dubbed "Ida," the [[fossil]] has been called the "Holy Grail of human evolution"<ref>http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2009/05/19/2009-05-19_missing_link_found_fossil_of_47_millionyearold_primate_sheds_light_on_.html</ref> and the "Eighth wonder of the world."
Found in the Middle Eocene strata and dated at 47,000,000 years, <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8057465.stm</ref> "Ida" appears to be an early lemur and is claimed to be a possible ancestor of all primates, including humans. However, it is ''not'' the classic "missing link" between ape and man.
Found in the Middle Eocene strata and dated at 47,000,000 years, <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8057465.stm</ref> "Ida" appears to be an early lemur and is claimed to be a possible ancestor of all primates, including [[humans]]. However, it is ''not'' the classic "missing link" between ape and man.
The fossil is in remarkably good shape for its estimated age. Palaeontologist Jorn Hurum said that it is "the most complete fossil before human burial."<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/may/19/fossil-ida-missing-link-discovery</ref>
The fossil is in remarkably good shape for its estimated age. Palaeontologist Jorn Hurum said that it is "the most complete fossil before human burial."<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/may/19/fossil-ida-missing-link-discovery</ref>
==Significance==
Though recently hailed in the media as a missing link in human [[evolution]], it is by inference and not by proof that "Ida" is viewed as significant in the human evolution debate. At most, it suggests to some that the line that gave rise to humans was from lemurs, not other primates.
However, even this is disputed among scientists. Evolutionists currently debate whether the ultimate ancestor of modern apes, monkeys, and men is from the tarsidae group (ancient primates ancestral to modern tarsiers) or adapidae (ancient primates ancestral to modern lemurs). While "Ida" suggests to some evolutionists that the tarsidae (lemur) group is the ancestor, paleontologist Tim White said "Lemur advocates will be delighted, but tarsier advocates will be underwhelmed."<ref>Lemur advocates will be delighted, but tarsier advocates will be underwhelmed</ref>
==References==
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