Lecture 6 Flashcards
why is Primatology important to human evolution
because our immediate ancestors occupied the myriad transitional spaces that characterize the gulf between modern primates and us.
what are some Common primate Features
five digits on each hand and foot, with opposable thumbs/big toes
flat nails instead of claws, in addition to tactile pads on each digit
the presence of a clavicle (collarbone)
generalized dentition
forward-facing eyes with binocular, stereoscopic vision
a postorbital bar or closure
reduced reliance on olfaction
a tendency towards erect, or vertical, posture
relatively long gestation rates and small litters
large brain-to-bodysize ratio, indicating more complex cognition
Tendancy towards sociality, supporting access to mates, defence against predators & food acquisition
Carnivores, omnivores and herbivores have immediately recognizable dentition, what are the teeth like
Carnivores have more pointed teeth; herbivore teeth tend to be flatter for grinding plant material; and “omnivore” teeth (like those of primates… omnivorous or not) combine traits of both
what is Primate Biogeography like
Nonhuman primates are generally restricted to the tropics and subtropical regions; fossil primate specimens have a wider distribution.
Primates occupy a variety of ecological niches, such as dry grasslands, tropical canopies, swamplands and open savannahs
what are the Primate Locomotion
quadrapedal locomotion (terrestrial and arboreal) arboreal brachiating locomotion arboreal quadrumanous locomotion knuckle-walking (terrestrial) bipedal locomotion
what are the 2 main primate suborders
Strepsirhini
Haplorhini
what are the traits of Strepsirhini
post-orbital bar grooming claw mostly nocturnal mono/dichromatic vision more reliant on smell have a rhinarium
include lemurs and lorisoids
generally small in size
often exhibit prognathism
though they can grasp, they are generally unable to move their fingers independently of one another
what are the traits of a Haplorhini
post-orbital closure no grooming claw mostly diurnal trichromatic vision more reliant on sight lack a rhinarium
can Haplorhini be divided further
Platyrrhini (not that important i don’t think)
Catarrhini
Tarsiiformes
what are Platyrrhini
(the New World monkeys)
what are Catarrhini
(the Old World monkeys, apes and humans)
what are humans considered
Humans are also Haplorhines
what are the traits of Platyrrhini (Parvorder)
flat noses with side-flaring nostrils
prehensile tail
non-opposable thumbs (most)
exclusively arboreal
what are the traits of Catarrhini (Parvorder)
Catarrhini (Parvorder) forward- or downward- facing nostrils lack a prehensile tail opposable thumbs (most) terrestrial and arboreal
what is included in Platyrrhines
New World Monkeys
what is included in Catarrhines
Old World Monkeys
what are in the old world monkeys
Four groups (old world monkeys, lesser apes, great apes, humans)
of all the other Catarrhine groups, the Old World monkeys are most similar morphologically and behaviorally to the New World monkeys
are there clear morphological and behavioral distinctions between prosimians (the Strepsirrhines and tarsiers) and monkeys.
no
what are the differences between monkeys and apes?
all apes lack tails; most monkeys have them
apes rely more on vision than do monkeys
apes have more consistent, regular upright posture than do monkeys
all apes have been observed in the wild using tools; most monkeys have not
