lab Flashcards
a closed orbit indicates a primate or non primate
a closed orbit is a feature of primates
Do primates have a long snout or a short snout relative to non-primates?
Primates typically have a short snout
What features distinguish lemurs/lorises (strepsirrhines) from other primates?
Strepsirrhines are characterized by features such as a moist rhinarium (wet nose), a dental comb, and a grooming claw.
True or false? Only lemurs and lorises are strepsirrhines.
False
What features distinguish tarsiers from all other primates?
Tarsiers are characterized by their large eyes, long hind limbs, and the ability to rotate their heads almost 180 degrees.
True or false? Humans are apes.
True. Humans belong to the family Hominidae
What features are different between Old World Monkeys and New World Monkeys?
Old World Monkeys typically have downward-facing nostrils. New World Monkeys have outward-facing nostrils. Old World Monkeys also lack a prehensile tail, present in some New World Monkeys.
What features are unique to apes?
Apes are characterized by a lack of a tail and larger brains relative to body size compared to other primates.
New World Monkeys have bilophodont molars. What are bilophodont molars, and what sort of diet are they best suited for?
Bilophodont molars have two main ridges. This dental pattern is adapted for an omnivorous diet, including fruits, leaves, and insects.
Which class of primates has a post-orbital bar?
Strepsirrhines (lemurs, lorises, etc.) have a post-orbital bar.
You find an animal skull with forward-facing eyes and a post-orbital plate. Are you likely looking at a primate or non-primate?
You are looking at a non-primate. Forward-facing eyes and a post-orbital plate are characteristics of non-primates.
Which primate class has a 2 1 2 3 dental formula?
The 2 1 2 3 dental formula is characteristic of Old-World Monkeys and apes.
Which primate class has a different dental formula for the maxillary and mandibular dentition?
New World Monkeys have a different dental formula for maxillary and mandibular dentition.
Sharp pointed teeth are good for puncturing the exoskeleton of insects—what kind of diet is this?
This is indicative of a carnivorous or insectivorous diet.
A primate that eats primarily leaves would have what type of teeth? What kind of diet is this?
A primate that eats primarily leaves would likely have teeth adapted for grinding and shearing, reflecting a folivorous or herbivorous diet.
Low rounded molars and large flat incisors are good for what type of diet?
These dental features are adapted for an omnivorous diet, including fruits, seeds, and some animal matter.
What kind of dentition would gummivores have?
Gummivores, or animals that primarily consume gum or sap, would likely have teeth adapted for gripping and processing this sticky substance.
Which is harder to digest, leaves or fruit?
Leaves are generally harder to digest due to their fibrous nature and the presence of compounds like cellulose.
Why do folivores have a long, complex gut?
A long, complex gut aids in the microbial fermentation of plant material, helping folivores break down tough cellulose and extract nutrients.
What type of molars do apes have?
Apes typically have Y-5 molars, characterized by multiple cusps forming a Y-shaped pattern, which is well-suited for grinding plant material.
What features of the pelvis or innominate indicate bipedalism?
Bipedalism is often indicated by features such as a broad, short ilium, a broad sacrum, a broad, shallow sacroiliac joint, and a large, robust, and S-shaped lumbar region.
What features of the pelvis or innominate indicate quadrupedalism?
Quadrupedalism is often indicated by a long and narrow ilium, a narrow sacrum, a small and elongated lumbar region, and a more vertical and mobile sacroiliac joint.
True or false? Brachiation is part of suspensory locomotion.
True. Brachiation involves swinging from branch to branch using the arms and is a form of suspensory locomotion.
Longer hind limbs relative to forelimbs would indicate what kind of locomotion?
Longer hind limbs relative to forelimbs are indicative of leaping or vertical climbing locomotion.
What features of an ape foot would tell you if the ape is a quadruped or a biped?
Ape feet are adapted for grasping and are generally not as specialized for bipedalism as human feet. Features such as a mobile first digit (opposable thumb-like toe) and a divergent hallux are indicative of arboreal and quadrupedal adaptations.
What is a bicondylar angle?
The bicondylar angle is the angle formed by the femoral condyles in relation to the long axis of the femur. In humans, this angle is important for stabilizing the knee during bipedal locomotion.
If the femur you are holding has no bicondylar angle, are you holding the femur of a biped or a quadruped?
You are likely holding the femur of a quadruped. A bicondylar angle is a characteristic feature of the human femur, which facilitates bipedal locomotion.
Is a biped more likely to have an adducted hallux or an abducted hallux?
A biped is more likely to have an adducted hallux (the big toe is oriented more in line with the other toes), which is a characteristic feature of the human foot.
True or false? Only obligate bipeds have transverse and longitudinal arches?
False. While the transverse and longitudinal arches are more developed in obligate bipeds like humans, even non-obligate bipeds may exhibit some degree of arching in their feet.
What features are used to determine sexual dimorphism in primates?
Features such as body size, canine size, and overall skeletal size and robustness are often used to determine sexual dimorphism in primates.
What is a cp3 honing complex, and what can it tell you about sexual dimorphism?
The CP3 honing complex refers to the canine-premolar honing complex, which is an adaptation seen in some primates where the upper canine is sharpened against the lower third premolar. The size and development of this complex can indicate sexual dimorphism, with males typically having larger canines.
Which type of social group or groups are the most sexually dimorphic? Which are the least sexually dimorphic?
Among primates, multi-male/multi-female social groups tend to be more sexually dimorphic, with one male dominating the group. Monogamous and single-male/multi-female groups are generally less sexually dimorphic.
What important feature of the skull indicates bipedalism?
The position of the foramen magnum, the opening at the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes, indicates bipedalism. In bipeds, the foramen magnum is positioned centrally underneath the skull to support an upright posture.
Would a deep acetabulum and lateral facing ilium indicate bipedalism or quadrupedalism?
A deep acetabulum and lateral facing ilium are indicative of quadrupedalism. In bipeds, the acetabulum tends to be shallower, and the ilium is positioned more anteriorly to support the upright posture.
What type of social organization do gorillas have? What type of social organization do baboons have?
Gorillas have a harem-based social organization, with one dominant silverback male and multiple females and offspring. Baboons typically exhibit a multi-male/multi-female social structure with a dominance hierarchy.
What type of social organization do gibbons have? Which of these primate social groups likely has the most competition between their group members?
Gibbons have a monogamous social organization, forming pair bonds. Among these primate social groups, multi-male/multi-female groups are likely to have the most competition between their group members, especially among males vying for dominance and access to females.
Is it Bergmann’s Rule or Allen’s Rule that helps you identify whether a hominin is cold-adapted or hot-adapted?
Bergmann’s Rule is the one that helps identify whether a species or population is cold-adapted or hot-adapted. It states that individuals in colder climates tend to have larger body sizes.
There are three stages or levels of response to high altitude based on the length of time of exposure: adaptation, acclimation, and acclimatization. What are the characteristics of each level of response? Which level of response is for the short-term? Which level of response is developmental? Which level of response is a product of evolution?
Adaptation is the long-term genetic response to high altitude.
Acclimation is the short-term physiological response to altitude exposure.
Acclimatization is a more general term encompassing both short-term and long-term adjustments.
Short-term response: Acclimation
Developmental response: Adaptation
Evolutionary response: Adaptation
