Chapter 3 Flashcards
Define Hominid
A primate that used bipedal locomotion; of which humans are the only existing species
How long ago were primates thought to have lived, based on fossil record?
65 million years ago (MYA)
Molecular evidence disagrees with fossil records, how long ago did primates exist according to this alternative view?
90 MYA
Define ecological niche
The way of life for a certain species at a specific place and time
Define adaptive radiation
The evolutionary process of diversification of a species based on newly available ecological niches
Define allopatric. What risks due primates bear due to it?
Populations of species that are separated geographically. Primate populations may be too small; thus survival is threatened
What is an angiosperm?
A flowering plant
What is a plesiadapiform?
A mammal once thought to be ancestral mammal. Discovered to lived in the Cenzoic Era, 65MYA
When do the first undisputed primate fossils appear?
*Plesiadapiforms, thought to have lived in the Paleocene epoch 65-54mya
What is the oldest new world primate and when did it live?
Branisella, 25.8-27mya
How did new world primates get to South America?
Overwater dispersal, potential of platyrrhine ancestors rafting
When did the ancestral hominoids emerge?
Early Miocene (23-16MYA) p64
When did ancestral hominids evolve from the hominiods?
Late Miocene, 6-7MYA
What makes ancestral hominoids distinguishable from other anthropoids in the fossil record?
Unique 5-cusped molars. Y-5 pattern.
What old world monkey (genus and popular name) ancestor was very large in size and widespread throughout African grasslands during the Pliocene?
Theropithecus aka Gelada Baboon.
Pliocene - 5MYA
Define endemism. What epoch did this occur in?
Species geographic restriction to one area. Pleistocene (1.8MYA).
What are some common habitat characteristics in the equatorial belt(& where is it) where most primates are found? (3)
Between tropic of cancer & capricorn.
High rainfall, high plant diversity and productivity & low seasonality
What is the difference between splitters and lumpers?
Splitters emphasize variation on the subspecies level; lumpers emphasize variation on the species level
What is an evolutionary significant unit?
In conservative biology, it is the classification of species that are genetically different than other individuals in the same species
Why are the Ranomafana lemurs considered lucky?
Human efforts are made to preserve their natural habitat. Discovery of new lemur brought awareness.
What is cultural primatology?
The study of cultural traditions within primate populations
When did the Paleocene occur? What major events were there?
65MYA - first mammalian fossil found. Gradual cooling but tropical climates still widespread
When did the Eocene occur? What major events were there?
54 mya - greater cooling; seasonality occurred in higher altitudes. Modern mammals appear - prosimians found in Europe, Asia and NA
When did the Oligocene occur? What major events were there?
34 mya - sharp cooling and drying. Anthropoids appear in Africa, prosimians disappear from NA and Europe. Primates found in SA.
When did the Miocene occur? What major events were there?
23mya - Cooler and drier. Grasslands spread on middle latitudes. first hominoids and colobines found. First platyrrhines in SA.
When did the Pliocene occur? What major events were there?
5mya - Global cooling continues. Major glaciation and formation of ice caps on both hemispheres. Theropithecus widely found in grasslands of Africa.
When did the Pleistocene occur? What major events were there?
1.8 mya - Continental glaciation on northern hemisphere. Theropithecus replaced by Papio. Cercopithecidae disapear found in Asia, disappear from Europe.
When did the Holocene occur? What major events were there?
12,000 years ago - Warming since last glaciation. Modern fauna.
