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Biological Anthropology > Primate Characteristics > Flashcards

Primate Characteristics Flashcards

1
Q

Primates have less of their brain (relative to other mammals) dedicated to olfaction. This is due to…

A

The reduced reliance on smell

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2
Q

Primate locomotion describes…

A

How the primate moves, and how long their limbs are relative to others because of how they move

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3
Q

Primates have adapted to eating a wide variety of foods. Which main primate characteristic does this fall within?

A

Dietary plasticity

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4
Q

What is the primitive mammalian dental formula?

A

3.1.4.3

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5
Q

What are exceptions to the opposable thumb and big toe characteristics in primates?

A

Not all New World monkeys have opposable thumbs

Humans do not have opposable toes

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6
Q

Primates have behaviorally and anatomically adapted (by way of natural selection) traits that ensure fitness while living in trees. Which main primate characteristic does this fall within?

A

Arboreal adaptations

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7
Q

What is an exception to the “nails instead of claws” feature in primates?

A

Some prosimians retain claws

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8
Q

What does “prehensile” mean?

A

Adapted for grasping (wrapping around an object)

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9
Q

What are the 4 main categories of primate characteristics?

A

Generalized morphology

Arboreal adaptations

Dietary plasticity

Parental investment

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10
Q

The type of locomotion that is characterized by very long hindlimbs relative to forelimbs and is typical of Prosimians is called…

A

VCL (vertical clinging and leaping)

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11
Q

Where are living primates found?

A

Tropical and semitropical areas in the New and Old Worlds

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12
Q

What does the dental formula describe?

A

The number of incisors, canines, premolars, and molars (in that order) in each quadrant of the mouth

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13
Q

What is the importance of having tactile pads?

A

Enhanced sense of touch (helps to offset reduced sense of smell and hearing)

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14
Q

What is the name for a tail that can grasp (only found in some New World monkeys)?

A

Prehensile tail

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15
Q

Being that primates do not have claws, what do they use to climb trees?

A

Their prehensile ability

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16
Q

What does binocular vision mean?

A

The eyes have overlapping fields of vision, allowing for enhanced depth perception (also necessary for 3D imaging)

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17
Q

Primates have a tendency towards what type of posture?

A

Erect

18
Q

What does stereoscopic vision mean?

A

The information from both eyes is processed on both sides of the brain, increasing depth perception (allowing for 3D image processing)

19
Q

What is the purpose of studying non-human primates?

A

To test evolutionary hypotheses, learn about biology and ecology, as a last chance to understand many species, and to learn about humans - specifically, what characteristics are unique to us and what characteristics are because we are primates.

20
Q

What do all primates have to help protect their eyes that other mammals do not have?

A

A post-orbital bar or post-orbital plate

21
Q

Parental investment is necessary because of the primate’s dependence on what type of behavior?

A

Flexible, learned behavior - the parent must teach the child the behaviors that are important for survival, rather than the child exclusively relying on instinct

22
Q

All diurnal primates have what type of vision?

A

Color

23
Q

Compared to other mammals, the primate brain is…

A

Large (relative to body size) and more complex

24
Q

An important arboreal adaptation in primates is the presence of what type of vision?

A

Binocular and stereoscopic

25
Q

The 4 types of teeth in all primates are:

A

Incisors

Canines

Premolars

Molars

26
Q

This type of locomotion is true, arm-over-arm swinging in trees. It results in longer forelimbs and shorter hindlimbs.

A

Brachiation

27
Q

What are some important features of primate hands and feet?

A

5 digits (pentadactyly)

Opposable thumbs and big toes

Tactile pads

Nails, not claws

28
Q

Due to the muscular structure of their hands, African apes practice what type of quadrupedal locomotion?

A

Knuckle-walking

29
Q

Due to the muscular structure of their hands, orang-utans practice what type of quadrupedal locomotion?

A

Quadrumanual/fist walking

30
Q

This primitive characteristic has been lost in many other mammals (such as dogs, cats, horses, etc.), but has been retained in all primates

A

Clavicle

31
Q

Primates have retained many primitive traits of mammals. Which main primate characteristic does this fall within?

A

Generalized morphology

32
Q

A primate walking on all 4 limbs on the ground would be called…

A

A terrestrial quadruped

33
Q

Primates have generalized dentition because they are generally…

A

Omnivorous

34
Q

What about a primate’s vertebral column allows a great range of movements?

A

It has 5 functionally distinct groups of vertebrae

35
Q

Primates all devote a lot of time and energy towards their offspring. Which main primate characteristic does this fall within?

A

Parental investment

36
Q

If a primate has a long, flexible lumbar spine with forelimbs and hindlimbs of similar length, they probably use what type of locomotion?

A

Quadrupedalism

37
Q

Why is it important that primate limb structure is general, not hyper-specialized?

A

It allows for a wide range of motion, including many different types of locomotion

38
Q

Most primates have which dental formulas (there are 2)?

A
  1. 1.2.3
  2. 1.3.3
39
Q

A primate walking on all 4 limbs in the trees would be called…

A

An arboreal quadruped

40
Q

What is the significance of single births being most common in primates?

A

The reduced number of offspring allow for more parental investment in each child

41
Q

This type of locomotion is only found exclusively in humans (while some apes may practice it temporarily, it is not their main form of locomotion). It results in longer hindlimbs and shorter forelimbs and a modified pelvis.

A

Bipedalism

Biological Anthropology (3 decks)

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