Primates Flashcards
How does homology aid us in the study of primates?
Shared traits acquired by a common ancestor. Gives more insight into anatomy and behaviour of ancestors through living primates, as opposed to others eg. reptiles.
How does analogy aid us in the study of primates?
We can see how evolution shapes adaptations in response to different selection pressures.
How do primates reflect the ‘mosaic nature of evolution’?
As primates were spread across nations, 50-60mya, and faced different environmental and selective pressures they have evolved different and not in a linear fashion.
What are ancestral traits shared between primates and humans?
Ancestral traits are those inherited from a common ancestor eg. being vertebrates, homeothermic, and having hair
What are derived traits?
Newly arising traits, one that a current organism has, and a previous one didn’t
What are some distinguishing traits of primates?
Prehensile hands, opposable big toes, stereoscopic vision, reduced olfactory reliance, nails, unspecialised teeth, large brain, small litter size, and prolonged dependency of young.
However, none of these are unique to primates and not all primates possess these.
What are some examples of human traits being different from that of the distinguishing traits of primates?
Prehensile hands and feet; out feet aren’t - bipedality
Opposable big toes; we don’t grasp with our toes…
Stereoscopic vision; We have binocular (overlapping), eyes rotated to front to see in 3D and colourful vision
What are some examples of distinguishing traits of primates being shared with human traits?
Reduced olfactory reliance; Increased reliance on vision
Nails v claws; nails to protect sensitive skin on fingers and toes
Unspecialised teeth; Not needed for warfare or dietary reqs.
What are the different group of primates?
Prosimi, Tarsioidea, Anthropoidea
What are some distinguishing traits of prosimians?
PO Bar only
Wet nose and split lip
Dental comb
What are two examples of prosimians and their distinguishing traits?
Lemurs (Madagascar): Underwent adaptive radiation (complete isolation from primates elsewhere), lower body temp and metab rate to survive extreme dietary reqs.
Ring-tailed lemur: Highly gregarious, greater reliance on vision yet still high reliance on olfactory system, scent mark vegetation and scent mark tails for territory.
What are some distinguishing traits of tarsioids?
PO bar and partial plate
Dental formula 2133/1133
Elongated tarsal bones of foot
What are some distinguishing traits of Anthropoids?
PO bar and plate
Nails on all digits
What are some distinguishing traits of the platyrrhini infraorder?
Flat nose
Widely separated nostrils
Found in South and Central America
What is the extant superfamily in the infraorder platyrrhini? and some distinguishing traits
Cebidae (capuchins); Relatively large body sizes, live socially with varied diet, have culture and traditions.