primatology- taxonomy

Question 1

what are the defining traits of primates

Answer 1

1) complex specialized dentition
2) enhanced stereoscopic vision
3) grasping hands/feet, nails, foot pads
4) reduced smell
5) complex brain
6) long life history
7) auditory bulla is made from petrosal bone!!!!

Question 2

list the four hypotheses for primate evolution

Answer 2

1) arboreal niche- grasping hands and stereoscopic vision for leaping
2) angeosperm/terminal branch-
3) visual predation- eating insects, reduced claws, vis, grasping
4) terminal branch and visual predation( rassmussen)

Question 3

List the primary differenced between strepsirrhines and haplorrhines

Answer 3

streps:
rhinarium
boney eye ring
post-orbital bar
unfused frontal/mandible
some have:
tooth comb
grooming claw
tapetum lucidum

haps:
reduced snout
boney eye cup
post orbital closure
fused frontal/mandible

Question 4

where do lorises live? what about galagos? what are their generalized traits?

Answer 4

loris: Africa/asia
galagos: africa
nocturnal
small
frug/insectivores
solitary
arboreal clingers/leapers

Question 5

what locomotion do lemurs use?

Answer 5

arboreal quadrupeds

Question 6

what strep and hap traits do tarsiers have?

Answer 6

strep:
climber/leaper
grooming claw, unfused mandible, nocturnal
hap traits:
- no tapetum
- no rhinarium
partial post orbital closure
partially fused frontal

Question 7

compare platyrrhines and catarrhines

Answer 7

plats:
- wide spaced nostril
- 2133 dent
- some prehensile tails: atelidae, capucins
- arboreal quadrupeds or semi brachiators
- no boney ear tube
catarrhines:
narrow, forward nostrils
-2123 dentition
- short tails
- arboreal quadrupeds, brachiators, or terrestrial quadrupeds
- boney ear tube