Primate Charactersitics 1 Flashcards
Why Study Primates?
Closet Relative, understanding the origin of human behavior, closer look about our ancestors, or diverse order in mammals
Diversity is?
Morphology, diet, behavior, & ecology
Not all primates have
All of the traits! Some are found in non-primates
What are some common traits primates have?
dexterous hands and feet, senses, slow life history, intelligence, unspecialized molars, complex behavior
Dexterous hands and feet traits:
opposable thumb or big toe (grasping ability)
Nails & Sensory Pad (sensitivity & grip)
Senses:
Vision (greater area of detail/depth perception)
(Help with seeing color)
Smell: Short snout/brain region
Slow Life History:
Small litters 1
Long gestation: Long pregnancy
Slow Development: Long time to forage relationships, find food, etc.
Intelligence:
Brain size to body size compared to other mammals
Brain is more complex/ folds in the brain.
Unspecialized molars:
2.1.2.3 or 2.1.3.3
2 incisors
1 canine
2/3 premolars
3 molars
Complex Behavior
Social Groups (living together)
Adult Male Presence (can take on a mother figure)
Bonds (Strong female/male bonds)
Social Learning: (learn to play, use tools, etc).
Why do primates share these traits?
Had a common ancestor that had the same traits mentioned
Arboreal hypothesis
Hold onto branches in tress with hands/feet
Issue?
A lot of mammals live in trees
Visual Predation Hypothesis
Prey on insects on fine branches of trees
Issue?
Lot of mammals do not only rely on insects
Angiosperm Hypothesis
exploiting fruits
Which Hypthesis fits best?
Angiosperm Hypothesis
Why?
Because this theory fits the specific traits.
Primates likely originated from?
Small, lived in trees, eat fruits off branches, started eating insects off these branches as well
Characteristics of a strepsirrhine?
Wet Nose
Twisted
membrane/eye that reflects light (enhance vision at night)
post orbital bar/no closure
Long snout (primate)
tooth comb
