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Why do we say primates are generalized?
- because they are adapted to a wide range of environments
- Resulted in their skeletal structure that is used for multiple things (food and locomotion)
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What is the difference between primates and other mammals?
- some animals have only one function of their skeletal structure (ex. Horse hoof- one digit Function only for locomotion)
- primates have many functions:
- 1. Better vision: stereoscopic and Diurnal vision
- 2. Heterodonts (many different teeth for eating variety of foods)
- 3. reduced senses (auditory and olfactory)
- 4. generalized locomotion (can do multiple types of locomotion)
- 5. Five digits
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what is stereoscopic vision?
why is it important to have?
- depth perception
- Allows to see quality of food (ripeness and rawness or poisonous food)
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Diurnal
- color vision
- necessary to see poisonous food and ripeness or rawness
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Nocturnal
- active at night
- no color vision
- most nocturnal species don’t see color
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4 types of primate positional behavior
- Quadrupedal: use of 4 limbs (arboreal & terrestrial)
- Vertical clinging and leaping: long arms for grabbing
- Suspensory/Brachiation: Swing from trees
- Bipedal: use of 2 limbs
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arboreal quadruped
- in the trees run on branches
- Longer hind limbs then forelimbs
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terrestrial quadruped
- arms and legs are same length
- Keeps backbone parallel to the ground
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Suspensory positional behavior
- brachiation- swinging from trees
- Ex. gibbons
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humans are the only _____ bipeds
obligate
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Types of primate social structure
(PP-MM-S)
- Polygynous
- Polyandrous
- Monogamous
- Multimale/multifemale
- Solitary
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4 Differences between primates and humans
- 1) prehensility
- 2) altricial young
- 3) highly intelligent
- 4) varied social organization
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Differences between primates and humans:
Prehensility/prehensile
- an appendage adapted for holding or grasping
- Only new world monkeys have prehensile tails ex. black howler monkey
- All primates have dermal ridges; humans have closer dermal ridges, which has to do with how sensitive our fingers are
- Opposable digits – related to prehensility
- spider monkey's do not have opposable digit on front legs
- Most primates have nails, no claws
- Tarsier's have little claws
- Sensitive tactile digits
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Differences between primates and humans:
Altricial young
- born helpless
- typically primates will have one offspring at a time
- Long gestation periods; carrying in utero
- Primates have longest period of dependency among mammals
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Differences between primates and humans:
highly intelligent
- humans and chimps have largest brain relative to body size
- human brain surface is about 1350 cc
- chimp brain surface is 400 cc
- Humans have big neocortex (thinking part of brain)
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Differences between primates and humans:
varied social organization
- Monogamous – ex. gibbons, samangs
- Uni-male groups – Gorillas
- Uni-female – marmasets + tamarines
- Multifemale /multimale – baboons, macaques, chimps
- solitary - orangutans
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Rhinarium
organ in the nostril that makes nose damp
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Dental comb
group of front teeth found in lemurs and lorises for grooming and feeding
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Dental Formula:
Old World Monkey
(including humans)
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Dental Formula:
New World Monkey
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Dental Formula:
Marmosets
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What are incisors used for?
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What are canines used for?
- stabbing
- holding prey
- threatening others
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What are premolars used for?
- grasping
- holding on to prey
- chew
- grind
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What are molars used for?
- shearing
- grinding food
- Chewing
- Crushing
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Significance of Madagascar
lemurs only found on madagascar
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Who is Dian Fossey?
What Species did she study?
Studied Gorillas
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Who is Jane Goodall?
What Species did she study?
- Studied Chimpanzees in Tanzania at Gombe national park
- 1st to identify them using tools, straw, and breaking nuts with rocks
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