Editing Gigantopithecus (section)

===Diet===
[[File:Gigantopithecus blacki mandible 010112.jpg|thumb|left|''Gigantopithecus'' mandible, top view<br/>Scale {{convert|3|cm|abbr=in|frac=4}}]]
''Gigantopithecus'' is considered to have been a [[herbivore]]. [[Isotope analysis#Carbon-13|Carbon-13 isotope analysis]] suggests consumption of [[C3 carbon fixation|C<sub>3</sub>]] plants, such as fruits, leaves, and other forest plants.<ref name= "Bocherens2017"/> The robust mandible of ''Gigantopithecus'' indicates it was capable of resisting high strains while chewing through tough or hard foods. However, the same mandibular anatomy is typically seen in modern apes which primarily eat soft leaves ([[folivore]]s) or seeds ([[granivore]]s). ''Gigantopithecus'' teeth have a markedly lower rate of pitting (caused by eating small, hard objects) than orangutans, more similar to the rate seen in [[chimpanzee]]s, which could indicate a similarly [[generalist and specialist species|generalist diet]].<ref name=ZhangHarrison2017/>

The molar-like premolars, large molars, and long rooted cheeked teeth could point to chewing, crushing, and grinding of bulky and fibrous materials.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Kupczik|first1=K.|last2=Dean|first2=M. C.|year=2008|title=Comparative observations on the tooth root morphology of ''Gigantopithecus blacki''|journal=Journal of Human Evolution|volume=54|issue=2|pages=196–204|doi=10.1016/j.jhevol.2007.09.013|pmid=18045651|bibcode=2008JHumE..54..196K }}</ref><ref name="Ciochon1991">{{cite journal|last1=Ciochon |first1=R. |author-link=Russell Ciochon |last2= Piperno|first2=D. R.|last3=Thompson|first3=R. G.|year=1990|title=Opal phytoliths found on the teeth of the extinct ape ''Gigantopithecus blacki'': implications for paleodietary studies|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|volume=87|issue=20|pages=8120–8124|doi=10.1073/pnas.87.20.8120|pmid=2236026 |pmc=54904 |bibcode=1990PNAS...87.8120C |doi-access=free}}</ref> Thick enamel would suggest a diet of abrasive items, such as dirt particles on food gathered near or on the ground (like [[bamboo shoot]]s).<ref name=Kono2014/> Similarly, oxygen isotope analysis suggests ''Gigantopithecus'' consumed more low-lying plants such as stems, roots, and grasses than orangutans. [[Dental calculus]] indicates the consumption of [[tuber]]s.<ref>{{cite journal|first1=Y.|last1=Qu|first2=C.|last2=Jin|first3=Y.|last3=Zhang|year=2014|display-authors=et al.|title=Preservation assessments and carbon and oxygen isotopes analysis of tooth enamel of ''Gigantopithecus blacki'' and contemporary animals from Sanhe Cave, Chongzuo, South China during the Early Pleistocene|journal=Quaternary International|volume=354|pages=52–58|doi=10.1016/j.quaint.2013.10.053|bibcode=2014QuInt.354...52Q}}</ref> ''Gigantopithecus'' does not appear to have consumed the commonplace savanna grasses ([[C4 carbon fixation|C<sub>4</sub>]] plants).<ref name= "Bocherens2017">{{cite journal |last1=Bocherens |first1=H. |last2=Schrenk |first2=F. |last3=Chaimanee |first3=Y. |last4=Kullmer |first4=O. |last5=Mörike |first5=D. |last6=Pushkina |first6=D. |last7=Jaeger |first7= J.-J. |title=Flexibility of diet and habitat in Pleistocene South Asian mammals: Implications for the fate of the giant fossil ape ''Gigantopithecus'' |journal=Quaternary International |volume=434 |year=2017 |pages=148–155 |doi=10.1016/j.quaint.2015.11.059|bibcode=2017QuInt.434..148B }}</ref> Nonetheless, in 1990, a few opal [[phytolith]]s adhering to four teeth from ''Gigantopithecus'' Cave were identified to have originated from grasses; though, the majority of phytoliths resemble the hairs of [[fig family]] fruits, which include [[Common fig|fig]]s, [[mulberry]], [[breadfruit]] and [[banyan]]. This suggests that fruit was a significant dietary component for at least this population of ''Gigantopithecus''.<ref name="Ciochon1991"/>

The 400,000–320,000-year-old [[Middle Pleistocene]] teeth from [[Hejiang County|Hejiang Cave]] in southeastern China (near the time of extinction) show some differences from [[Early Pleistocene]] material from other sites, which could potentially indicate that the Hejiang ''Gigantopithecus'' were a specialised form adapting to a changing environment with different food resources. The Hejiang teeth display a less level (more crenulated) outer enamel surface due to the presence of secondary crests emanating from the [[Cusp (anatomy)#Paracone|paracone]] and [[Cusp (anatomy)#protocone|protocone]] on the side of the molar closer to the midline (medially), as well as sharper major crests. That is, the teeth are not as flat.<ref name=Zhang2014/><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Zhang|first1=Y.|last2=Kono|first2=R. T.|last3=Jin|first3=C.|last4=Wang|first4=W.|last5=Harrison|first5=T.|year=2014|title=Possible change in dental morphology in ''Gigantopithecus blacki'' just prior to its extinction: evidence from the upper premolar enamel–dentine junction|journal=Journal of Human Evolution|volume=75|pages=166–171|doi=10.1016/j.jhevol.2014.06.010|pmid=25063565|bibcode=2014JHumE..75..166Z }}</ref><ref name=ZhangKono2014>{{cite journal|last1=Zhang|first1=Y.|last2=Kono|first2=R. T.|last3=Jin|first3=C.|last4=Wang|first4=W.|display-authors=et al.|year=2014|title=New 400–320 ka ''Gigantopithecus blacki'' remains from Hejiang Cave, Chongzuo City, Guangxi, South China|journal=Quaternary International|volume=354|pages=35–45|doi=10.1016/j.quaint.2013.12.008|bibcode=2014QuInt.354...35Z}}</ref>

In 1957, based on hoofed animal remains in a cave located in a seemingly inaccessible mountain, Pei had believed that ''Gigantopithecus'' was a cave-dwelling predator and carried these animals in.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Pei |first=Wen-chung |author-link=Pei Wenzhong |year=1957 |title=Giant ape's jaw bone discovered in China |journal=American Anthropologist |volume=59 |issue=5 |pages=834–838 |doi=10.1525/aa.1957.59.5.02a00080 |doi-access=free}}</ref> This hypothesis is no longer considered viable because its dental anatomy is consistent with herbivory.<ref name= "Bocherens2017"/> In 1975, American palaeoanthropologist [[Tim D. White]] drew similarities between the jaws and dentition of ''Gigantopithecus'' and those of the [[giant panda]], and suggested they both occupied the same [[Ecological niche|niche]] as [[bamboo]] specialists.<ref>{{cite journal|first=T. D.|last=White|author-link=Tim D. White|year=1975|title=Geomorphology to paleoecology: ''Gigantopithecus'' reappraised|journal=Journal of Human Evolution|volume=4|issue=3|pages=219–233|doi=10.1016/0047-2484(75)90009-3|bibcode=1975JHumE...4..219W }}</ref> This garnered support from some subsequent researchers, but thicker enamel and [[hypsodont]]y in ''Gigantopithecus'' could suggest different functionality for these teeth.<ref name=Kono2014/>

The species' reliance on barks and twigs for nutrition led to its demise.<ref name="NAT-20240110"/>