OutlineWhy study non-human primates?General primate traits: what is a primate?3 evolutionary explanations for “primate-ness”Survey of 4 groups of primatesProsimiansNew world monkeysOld world monkeysHominoidsWhy study non-human primates?Primates share many homologous traits in morphology, physiology, development, and behaviorSimilarities due to descent help us understand the deeper evolutionary roots of human morphology and human natureStudying diversity in living primates helps us to understand how selection shapes morphology and behavior in different environmental conditionsGeneral Primate Traits: What is a primate?1. Erect/upright posture2. Five digits on hands and feeti. flexible digitsii. nails instead of clawsiii. opposable thumb/big toeiv. tactile pads on finger tips3. Retention of clavicle (collarbone); mobile front limbs4. Generalized heterodont (different forms) dentition; (teeth equation)5. Reduced emphasis on sense of smell; reduced snout, most primates lack a rhinarium6. Binocular color vision; fully-enclosed eye orbits7. Primate “life history” traits  small litters/ few offspring per pregnancy, prolonged period of infancy & dependency, long lifespan for body size, heavily dependent on learned behavior, most live in relatively large social groupsThe evolution of primate adaptations3 hypothesis:arboreal hypothesisbasic primate traits were selected to fit an adaptive niche in the treesvisual predator hypothesisearly primates adapted to forest undergrowth where they exploited insects and small prey that required stealth and dexterityfruit flower eating hypothesisbasic primate traits were favored by selection to better harvest flowering plants and fruitSurvey of Non-human primatesGeographic distribution of non-human primatesUsually reside in tropical areas4 groups of primatesProsimiansIncludes: lemurs, tarsiers, lorises, aye-ayes, indrisTarsiers eat insects mostly, but also birds, bats, and snakesProsimian locomotion: vertical clinging and leapingConfined to Madagascar, tropical Africa and AsiaProsimians retain the greatest number of primitive (i.e. ancestral) traits of all primatesNew world monkeys (anthropoid)Old world monkeys (anthropoid)Hominoids (apes and humans) (anthropoid) OutlineWhy study non-human primates?General primate traits: what is a primate?3 evolutionary explanations for “primate-ness”Survey of 4 groups of primates-Prosimians-New world monkeys-Old world monkeys-HominoidsWhy study non-human primates?- Primates share many homologous traits in morphology, physiology, development, and behavior- Similarities due to descent help us understand the deeper evolutionary roots of human morphology and human nature- Studying diversity in living primates helps us to understand how selection shapes morphology and behavior in different environmental conditionsGeneral Primate Traits: What is a primate?1. Erect/upright posture2. Five digits on hands and feeti. flexible digitsii. nails instead of clawsiii. opposable thumb/big toeiv. tactile pads on finger tips3. Retention of clavicle (collarbone); mobile front limbs4. Generalized heterodont (different forms) dentition; (teeth equation)5. Reduced emphasis on sense of smell; reduced snout, most primateslack a rhinarium6. Binocular color vision; fully-enclosed eye orbits7. Primate “life history” traits  small litters/ few offspring per pregnancy, prolonged period of infancy & dependency, long lifespanfor body size, heavily dependent on learned behavior, most live in relatively large social groupsThe evolution of primate adaptations- 3 hypothesis:o arboreal hypothesis basic primate traits were selected to fit an adaptive niche in the treeso visual predator hypothesis early primates adapted to forest undergrowth where they exploited insects and small prey that required stealth and dexterityo fruit flower eating hypothesis basic primate traits were favored by selection to better harvest flowering plants and fruitSurvey of Non-human primates- Geographic distribution of non-human primateso Usually reside in tropical areas 4 groups of primates- Prosimianso Includes: lemurs, tarsiers, lorises, aye-ayes, indris Tarsiers eat insects mostly, but also birds, bats, and snakes Prosimian locomotion: vertical clinging and leapingo Confined to Madagascar, tropical Africa and Asiao Prosimians retain the greatest number of primitive (i.e. ancestral) traits of all primates- New world monkeys (anthropoid)- Old world monkeys (anthropoid)- Hominoids (apes and humans)