Survey of Nonhuman Primates Flashcards
Primates are Divided Into Two Groups
Strepsirrhines and Haplorhines
Strepsirrhine Geographic Distribution
Found in Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, & Asia
Strepsirrhine Characteristics
- most are nocturnal (large eyes)
- post-orbital bar only
- rely on scent marking (olfaction)
- dental comb and grooming claw (both for personal grooming)
Lemuriformes Geographic Distribution
only found on Madagascar & neighboring Comoros Islands (endemic)
Why Are Lemuriformes Diverse?
because of endemism and lack of competition (adaptive radiation)
Lemuriformes Characteristics
- small/medium-sized
- diurnal and nocturnal
- female dominance
Lorisiformes Characteristics
- All nocturnal + small bodied
- Generally solitary or small family units
- Eat insects, gum, nectar, some fruits
2 Families of Lorisiformes
Galagidae (very active, fast movers, Africa only)
Lorisidae (often immobile, slow movers, Africa + Asia)
Haplorhine Characteristics
- Diurnal (except tarsiers + owl monkeys)
- Reduced reliance on smell and hearing
- Flatter faces, shorter snouts
- Larger, complex brains
- Longer juvenile dependency
- Increased parental care/investment
- Increased social complexity
The Suborder Haplorrhini Contains Three Infraorders:
Tarsiiformes, Platyrrhini, and Catarrhini
Difference Between Haplorhine and Strepsirrhines Traits
Olfactory cues play a more important role in the lives of strepsirrhine
In haplorrhines, traits are more complex (larger brains, longer lives), diurnal, live in bigger, complex social groups
Tarsiers
alike strepsirrhine primates (small, nocturnal, arboreal, move by vertical clinging/leaping)
However tarsiers are considered haplorrhines because genetic data relates to apes + monkeys
Catarrhines vs. Platyrrhines
Catarrhines: Old World monkeys and apes, (found in Africa + Asia), narrow downward-facing nostrils, two premolars, larger, occupy a wider variety of habitats
Platyrrhines: New World monkeys (South/Central America), broad, outward-facing nostrils, three premolars
Platyrrhines
- Five families
- Found in Americas (Mexico, Central/South America)
- All have tails
- All arboreal
- Smaller body size than cercopithecoid monkeys
- Minimal sexual dimorphism
- Diurnal (except owl monkey)
Catarrhines
- Two major subdivisions: cercopithecoid monkeys + apes
- Narrow, downward-facing nostrils
- 2.1.2.3. dental formula
Superfamily Cercopithecoidea
- Found in variety of environments (Asia, Africa, Arabian Peninsula)
- All diurnal
- Single births
- Some species are terrestrial
- Larger body size
- Often sexually dimorphic
Two Subfamilies of Cercopithecoids
- Cercopithecinae
- Colobinae
Cercopithecinae
- Fruit eaters
- Broad incisors
- Low cusps
- Cheek pouches
- Simple stomach
- Shorter limbs
- Africa + Asia
- wide range of habitats
- highly variable social systems
- most are sexually dimorphic
Colobinae
- Leaf eaters (folivores)
- Narrow incisors
- High cusps
- No cheek pouches
- Complex stomach
- Long limbs
- Africa + Asia
- all aboreal
Superfamily Hominoidea
- The apes
- No tails
- Larger size + weight
- Large brain to body weight ratio
- More upright posture
- Longer gestation and maturation
Family Hylobatidae: “Lesser Apes”
- Gibbons & siamangs
- Southeast Asia
- Frugivores
- Pair-bonded (monogamous)
- Sexually monomorphic
- Move using brachiation
- Long strong arms, short legs, elongated hook-like fingers
- Highly territorial (Singing calls)
Family Hominidae: “Great Apes”
- Large bodies
- Suspensory locomotion in trees (NOT brachiation); knuckle-walking on ground
- Sexually dimorphic
- Advanced cognitive abilities (all show tool use)
- Diverse diets & social systems
- Most investment in offspring (intense parenting and prolonged juvenile periods)
