Why Study Primates?

Light shall be thrown on humanity’s history The human family is but one branch on the tree of life.

We’re essentially studying ourselves Demonstrate our biological heritage as primates. Demonstrate our biological heritage as primates. Cast light on basic human behaviors and their ancestry. Cast light on basic human behaviors and their ancestry. Window into the evolution of intelligence. Window into the evolution of intelligence. Understand the evolution of language. Understand the evolution of language. Understand the origins of culture. Understand the origins of culture.

Behavior Doesn’t Fossilize Understanding of chimp behavior today helps us to understand the ways in which our early ancestors may have behaved because any behaviors shared by the modern chimps and modern humans was probably in the common ancestor of humans and chimps and if it was present in the common ancestor, therefore it was present in the early humans. Understanding of chimp behavior today helps us to understand the ways in which our early ancestors may have behaved because any behaviors shared by the modern chimps and modern humans was probably in the common ancestor of humans and chimps and if it was present in the common ancestor, therefore it was present in the early humans.

What Makes A Primate A Primate?

What, Exactly, Is A Primate? Here are some hints Limbs and locomotion Senses & the brain Diet and teeth

Prosimians vs. Anthropoids Prosiminas-“Before Monkey” more primitive- more nocturnal-lorises, galagos, tarsiers Prosiminas-“Before Monkey” more primitive- more nocturnal-lorises, galagos, tarsiers Anthropoids- “Human-Like” monkeys, apes (new world and old world Anthropoids- “Human-Like” monkeys, apes (new world and old world

Trunk Verticality Trunk Verticality Tendency toward erect posture shown in all primates. Tendency toward erect posture shown in all primates. Variously associated with sitting, leaping, standing, and, occasionally, bipedal walking. Variously associated with sitting, leaping, standing, and, occasionally, bipedal walking.

Diversity modes of locomotion Vertical clinging and leaping Vertical clinging and leaping Knuckle walking Knuckle walking Bi-pedal walking Bi-pedal walking

Flexible, generalized limb structure Retained some bones (clavicle) lost in many other mammals. Retained some bones (clavicle) lost in many other mammals. Retained some abilities (forearm rotation) lost in many other mammals. Retained some abilities (forearm rotation) lost in many other mammals. Limbs used for activities other than locomotion. Limbs used for activities other than locomotion.

Two separate lower arm bones

Flexible shoulders

Prehensile hands (& feet) All primates use the hands to grasp and manipulate objects. All primates use the hands to grasp and manipulate objects. And most also use their feet for similar purposes. And most also use their feet for similar purposes. These capabilities are enhanced by a number of characteristics. These capabilities are enhanced by a number of characteristics.

Grasping hands

Pentadactyly (5 digits)

Pentadactyly (cont.) Lemur (at left) Aye-aye (at right) Slow loris (showing grooming claw)

Sometimes 6-digits

An opposable thumb

Opposable Thumbs

Nails instead of claws or hooves

Flat fingernails and toenails

Tactile Pads

Lack of Dietary Specialization

Generalized Dentition

Three Kinds of Teeth

Seeing In Color Primate VisionCat Vision No Color View

Seeing In Color II

Depth Perception

See in 3-D!!!! The Frankfurter Experiment

Why Do Primates See in 3-D?

Forward Facing Eyes

Large brain-to-body-size ratio Primates brains 2-3 X larger than non-primates of the same body weight. Primates brains 2-3 X larger than non-primates of the same body weight. Horse brain more than 6 X bigger than that of the diminutive rhesus Horse brain more than 6 X bigger than that of the diminutive rhesus However, if the two animals were the same size, the monkey’s brain would be 20 times larger than the horse. However, if the two animals were the same size, the monkey’s brain would be 20 times larger than the horse.

Increased Parental Investment

What Do Primates Eat?

Where Do Primate Live?

Monkeys Use Sentences Pyows (leopards) and Hacks (crowned eagles) Pyow-hack = move farther and faster Putty-nosed Guenon String together 2 different alarm calls to create a new message

Raccoon Hands Smooth, furless hands with five agile fingers. Smooth, furless hands with five agile fingers. Use fingers much the way primates do... to pick up food, to fish, to groom themselves and to carry things. HOWEVER... Use fingers much the way primates do... to pick up food, to fish, to groom themselves and to carry things. HOWEVER...

Raccoons do NOT have prehensile hands and can NOT oppose their thumbs or big toes. The word “raccoon” come from the Algonquin Indian word "arukun," which means "he who scratches with his hands."

Food or Medicine? salt lick Parrots eating clay salt lick Chimp eating Vernonia leaves