Primates Flashcards
Primate Traits
Generalized skeletal structure Enhanced tactile function Nails instead of claws Opposable Thumbs Enhanced visual perception Reduced olfaction and auditory senses Retention of all four mammalian tooth types
Vitamin C
Most mammals can synthesize it by primates can’t they need to get from diet
Phlyogeny
The study of evolutionary relatedness/relationships of organisms
Prosimians
Wet noses, scent glands, smaller brain size, shorter gestation and maturation times, almost all nocturnal, dental comb, claw on second toe
What are some Prosimians
Lemurs, Lorises, Aye-Aye, Tarsiers are unsure
Anthropoids
Monkeys, apes, humans
Heterodonty
(from Greek, meaning ‘different teeth’) refers to animals which possess more than a single tooth morphology.
Platyrrhines
New world monkeys
Cattarhines
Old world monkeys
Ape features
No tail Native to Africa and Asia Flexible arms Broad shoulders Larger bodies and brains than monkeys
Ape Families
Lesser apes (hylobatidae) Greater apes (homodidea)
Prehensile tail
is the tail of an animal that has adapted to be able to grasp or hold objects
Polyandry
refers to a form of marriage in which a woman takes two or more husbands at the same time
Brachiation
which primates swing from tree limb to tree limb using only their arms.
Nuchal Crest
The nuchal crest is the ridge at the back of the skull, just above the nec
