Lecture 9

Question 1

What is a Primate?

Answer 1

Many features tend to be primitive and generalized. Characterized by suites of features. Useful to discuss evolutionary trends of modern primates.

Question 2

Limbs and Locomotion of Primates

Answer 2

Generalized Skeleton. A tendency toward upright posture. Flexible, generalized limbs.

Question 3

Hands and Feet of Priamtes

Answer 3

Adapted for grasping. Divergent, opposable thumb. Big toe. 5 digits. Highly sensitive pads. Nails instead of claws.

Question 4

Senses and Brain of Primates

Answer 4

More reliant on vision than olfaction. Orbital convergence for stereoscopic vision. Postorbital bar. Increased size and complexity of the brain.

Question 5

Brain size is __ to diet

Answer 5

relative

Question 6

Eyes

Answer 6

Forward Facing. Trichromatic Color Vision (African and Asian monkeys)

Question 7

Humans have huge __

Answer 7

Sclera (cooperative eye hypothesis)

Question 8

Teeth

Answer 8

Generalized dentition

Question 9

Hair

Answer 9

Bold markings and bodies covered with hair. Faces, hands, and bottoms are usually bare. Hair and bare skin contribute to visual signaling in diurnal primates.

Question 10

Faces

Answer 10

Moneys and apes have bare faces. Facial expression is an important part of social communication. Have colorful markings.

Question 11

Genitalia

Answer 11

Brightly colored. Sexual swellings to signal fertility.

Question 12

Behavioral Traits

Answer 12

Strong mother-offspring bonds. Gregarious and social animals. Precocious (well-developed) infants. Increased offspring dependency; increased parenting behavior. Slow life history and long life expectancy.