overview of fossil primates

Question 1

derived traits

Answer 1

distinct traits

• orthograde: upright body position
• forward facing eyes

Question 2

evolution during cenozoic

Answer 2

time period divided into 7 epochs:

1) paleocene
2) Eocene
3) Oligocene
4) Miocene
5) Pliocene
6) pleistocene
7) Holocene

Question 3

Paleocene

Answer 3

65 mya; primate-like mammals

Question 4

Eocene

Answer 4

55.8 mya; first true primates (prosimians)

Question 5

oligocene

Answer 5

33 mya; precursors to monkeys and apes emerge

Question 6

Miocene

Answer 6

23 mya; monkeys and apes emerge, first humanlike creatures appear

Question 7

pliocene

Answer 7

5.3mya; early humans diversify

Question 8

pleistocene

Answer 8

1.8 mya; early homo develops

Question 9

Holocene

Answer 9

(0.01 mya; present epoch)

Question 10

last common ancestor

Answer 10

hypothetical species that was last to exist before diverging into meyriad of sister orders related to primates

Question 11

crown group

Answer 11

all taxa that come after major speciation events

Question 12

stem groups

Answer 12

taxa in a clade before major speciation event

Question 13

origin of primates

Answer 13

between 90 and 65 mtya

Question 14

altiatlasius

Answer 14

• a possible earliest true primate known from a handful of teeth from morocco
• no other terrestrial mammalian fossils are known from this time in africa
• comparison are difficult

Question 15

Eocene Euprimates

Answer 15

• forward facing eyes
• greater encephalization
• postorbital bar
• nails, not claws
• opposable big toe

Question 16

Eociene primates features

Answer 16

• forward eye rotation
• small eye socket
• weighed less than 1 ounce

Question 17

y-5 molar pattern

Answer 17

molars that have 5 cusps, oriented in a manner forming a y-shaped groove pattern on the surface

Question 18

bilophodonty

Answer 18

molars that have 4 usps, oriented in 2 parallel rows, characteristic of old world monkeys

Question 19

paleoprimatologist

Answer 19

a person who specializes in the study of the nonhuman primate fossil record

Question 20

old world monkey characteristics (relative to ape)

Answer 20

-narrow nose and palate
-smaller brain
-bilophodont molars
-smaller average body size
-longer torso
=shorter arms
=tail

Question 21

ape characteristic (relative to old world monkeys)

Answer 21

• broader nose and palate
• larger brain
• y-5 molars
• larger average body size
• shorter torso
• longer arems
• no tail