What makes a Primate? Flashcards
What kind of body plan do primates have compared to other vertebrates?
A generalized, non-specialized body plan
What advantages do generalized body plans give for primates? (2 “many” things)
Many ways to travel around and live in many times of habitats
What advantage do large thumbs do primates have compared to other animals?
To hold objects with greater strength and precision
What kind of finger end do primates have and not have compared to other animals?
Flattened nails, no claws
Where do the eyes in most primates located compared to other animals?
Front-facing eyes
What advantage do front facing eyes give primates?
Depth 3D perception
What disadvantage do front facing eyes give primates?
Reduced peripheral vision
What kind of dental formula do most primates have?
2 incisor, 1 canine, 2-3 premolar, 3 molar
What bone do all primates have that no other mammal has?
petrosal bulla
What is special about the petrosal bulla for primates?
All primates have it, no other mammal has it
What does an enclosed eye orbit do for primates?
Protects the eye
Are primates single births or litters?
Single birth
Do primates have small or large brains?
Large brains
What are the 3 life history traits primates share?
Single birth, large brains, extended ontogeny
For primates, what does “extended ontogeny” mean?
Development (physical + social) for young primates takes a long time
What are the 2 behaviour traits primates share?
Diurnal activity and complex social patterns
For primates, what does diurnal activity mean?
It means they are active during the day
Strepsirhine/Haplorhine division is based on _____
molecular and morphological evidence
Prosimians/Anthropoids division is based on _____
physical and behavioural traits
Characteristics of New World Monkeys: _____, prehensile tail (tail that can grab things), small body size
3 premolar teeth
Characteristics of New World Monkeys: 3 premolar teeth, _____, small body size
prehensile tail (tail that can grab things)
Characteristics of New World Monkeys: 3 premolar teeth, prehensile tail (tail that can grab things), _____
small body size
Characteristics of Old World Monkeys: _____ , bilophodont molars, seat pads
ancestral quadrupedal body plan
Characteristics of Old World Monkeys: ancestral 4-legged body plan, _____ , seat pads
bilophodont molars
Characteristics of Old World Monkeys: ancestral 4-legged body plan, bilophodont molars, _____
seat pads
What sets Great Apes (humans included) apart?
Takes Haplorine traits to the extreme
Cattarihines can be split into ____ and ____
Ceropithecoidea/Old World Monkeys and Apes (and humans)
Characters do Cattarhines: ____ , 2 premolars, greater sexual dimorphism
downward nostril
Characters of Cattarhines: downward nostril, _____ , greater sexual dimorphism
2 premolars
Characteristics of Cattarhines: downward nostril, 2 premolars, _____
greater sexual dimorphism
Strepsirhines can be split into ___
lemurs and lorises
Haplorines can be split into ____
tarsiers, platyrhini/new world monkeys, cattarhines
Based on physical and behaviour traits, Primates can be split into ____ and ____
Prosimians and Anthropoids
Based on molecular and morphological traits, Primates can be split into ____ and ____
Strepsirhines and Haplorhines
New world monkeys are also called
Platyrrhini
Old world monkeys are also called
Ceropithecoidea
Platyrrhinis are also called
New world monkeys
Ceropithecoidea are also called
Old world monkeys
