Primates - Apes + Other

Question 1

Prosimians - List features and give examples.

Answer 1

Features:

• Nocturnal
• Arboreal
• Quadrapedal (walk on all fours)
• ‘Dog like’ features’ (prognathism, face covered with fur, rhinarium)
• Rely heavily on smell

E.g.

• lemurs
• tarsiers (elongated tarsus bone of foot)

Question 2

New World Monkeys

Answer 2

Monkeys from North and South America. (e.g. spider monkey)
- Mostly arboreal and quadrupedal with broad and flat noses.
Distinct from Old World Monkeys:
= retain 3 premolars
= prehensile tail

Question 3

Old World Monkeys

Answer 3

Monkeys from Africa, Europe and Asia. (e.g. baboon)
- Mostly arboreal and quadrupedal. Primarily terrestrial with long gestation period.
Distinct from Old World Monkeys:
= retain 2 premolars
= tail NOT prehensile
= larger brain

Question 4

What groups make up the ‘lesser’ apes.

Answer 4

Hylobates (gibbons and siamangs)

• smaller than the other apes
• best brachiators
• NO tail

Question 5

How can you quickly distinguish between a monkey and an ape?

Answer 5

Monkeys = Have a tail, do NOT brachiate
Apes = NO tail, brachiators

Question 6

What groups make up the Great Apes (genus Pongo)?

Answer 6

• Orangutans
• Pan Troglodytes (chimpanzee)
• Pan paniscus (bonobo) = pygmy chimpanzee
• Gorilla

Question 7

Describe the orangutans.

Answer 7

Asian great apes.
Large brain, long gestation, NO tail. 
- Fist walker 
- Solitary 
- Marked sexual differences (males have cheek flaps)

Question 8

Describe Pan troglodytes.

Answer 8

Common chimpanzee.

• Found in Africa only
• Knuckle walker when on ground (arboreal and terrestrial)
• Sex differences NOT marked

Question 9

Describe Pan paniscus

Answer 9

Bonobos (pygmy chimpanzees).

• Knuckle walker (walks upright quarter of time when on ground)
• Slighter than common chimp (hence pygmy)
• Larger breasts than common chimp
• More individual facial features

Question 10

Describe Gorilla gorilla.

Answer 10

Largest of the great apes.

• Knuckle walker
• Enormous jaws and teeth
• Marked sexual dimorphism