(Ch. 5) Meet the Living Primates Flashcards
What is a Primitive Trait?
This is a trait that has been inherited from a distant ancestor. (ex. body hair)
What is a Derived Trait?
A trait that has “more recently” been evolutionarily modified. (ex. color vision in some primates)
What do we need to remember when assigning the title of Primitive or Derived to a trait?
The larger context in which we observe the trait. A trait in one context may be primitive, but in another derived.
What is a Generalized Trait? Give an example.
This is a trait that is useful in a wide variety of situations.
(ex. having opposable thumbs)
What is a Specialized Trait? Give an example.
A trait that has evolved to serve a very specific purpose.
(ex. hooves for running)
There are five primary traits that we associate with primates. What are they?
- Convoluted brain
- Flexible limbs
- Forward-facing eyes
- Grasping ability
- Sociality
Differentiate between the different kinds of color vision…
1. Dichromatic
2. Trichromatic
3. Tetrachromatic
- Only being able to see blues and greens (good for being nocturnal)
- Seeing reds and yellows as well.
- Seeing all the above and ultraviolet colors.
What is Stereoscopic Vision? How is this an evolutionary advantage in primates?
- Also known as “Binocular Vision” this is where your eyes face forward.
- Those with this type of vision have better depth perception. (less likely to miss a branch while swinging)
What does it mean when we say primates have Convoluted Brains?
Primates have abnormally large brains given their size. They are also capable of complex thought.
What is an example of an evolutionary trade off in primates?
Primates have decreased olfactory abilities, but increased visual abilities.
(They rely less on their sense of smell, so it became deprioritized evolutionarily.)
What does it mean for an animal to be Arboreal?
What does it mean for an animal to be Terrestrial?
- Spending most of it’s time in trees/off the ground. (ex. monkeys)
- Spending most of it’s time on the ground. (ex. dogs)
What does it mean to be “Pentadactyl?”
This just means that a species has five toes/five fingers. Or both!
What are “Tactile Pads?” What is the evolutionary advantage of this?
- This refers to the skin on the hands and fingertips being extra sensitive.
- An increased ability to manipulate objects.
What does it mean that primates have an “Enclosed Orbit?”
This refers to the ring of bone around the eye. This ring of bone is often pronounced, to keep the eye from being damaged.
What does the Life History of an animal refer to? What is the Life History of Primates?
- The length/speed of an organisms life, reproductive, and growth.
- Primates live very long lives, and reproduce infrequently. Their offspring take a long time to reach adulthood in comparison to other kinds of animals.
