Lecture 6

Question 1

why is Primatology important to human evolution

Answer 1

because our immediate ancestors occupied the myriad transitional spaces that characterize the gulf between modern primates and us.

Question 2

what are some Common primate Features

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Carnivores, omnivores and herbivores have immediately recognizable dentition, what are the teeth like

Answer 3

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

Question 4

what is Primate Biogeography like

Answer 4

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

Question 5

what are the Primate Locomotion

Answer 5

quadrapedal locomotion (terrestrial and arboreal) 
arboreal brachiating locomotion 
arboreal quadrumanous locomotion 
knuckle-walking (terrestrial)
bipedal locomotion

Question 6

what are the 2 main primate suborders

Answer 6

Strepsirhini

Haplorhini

Question 7

what are the traits of Strepsirhini

Answer 7

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

Question 8

what are the traits of a Haplorhini

Answer 8

post-orbital closure 
no grooming claw 
mostly diurnal
trichromatic vision 
more reliant on sight 
lack a rhinarium

Question 9

can Haplorhini be divided further

Answer 9

Platyrrhini (not that important i don’t think)
Catarrhini
Tarsiiformes

Question 10

what are Platyrrhini

Answer 10

(the New World monkeys)

Question 11

what are Catarrhini

Answer 11

(the Old World monkeys, apes and humans)

Question 12

what are humans considered

Answer 12

Humans are also Haplorhines

Question 13

what are the traits of Platyrrhini (Parvorder)

Answer 13

flat noses with side-flaring nostrils
prehensile tail
non-opposable thumbs (most)
exclusively arboreal

Question 14

what are the traits of Catarrhini (Parvorder)

Answer 14

Catarrhini (Parvorder) 
forward- or downward- facing nostrils 
lack a prehensile tail
opposable thumbs (most) 
terrestrial and arboreal

Question 15

what is included in Platyrrhines

Answer 15

New World Monkeys

Question 16

what is included in Catarrhines

Answer 16

Old World Monkeys

Question 17

what are in the old world monkeys

Answer 17

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

Question 18

are there clear morphological and behavioral distinctions between prosimians (the Strepsirrhines and tarsiers) and monkeys.

Answer 18

no

Question 19

what are the differences between monkeys and apes?

Answer 19

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