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May have inherited the trait form a common ancestor Humans and monkeys both have 5 digits on each limb because they inherited this trait from a distant common ancestor The two species may have developed the same trait independently in their evolution The canary and bat are both small animals capable of flight because their species evolved flight independently
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PrimatesBiological Anthropology
Humans as Primates
In order to understand the place of humans in nature, it is first necessary to understand the group of mammals to which humans belong– the primates
Methods of Classification May have inherited the trait form a
common ancestor Humans and monkeys both have 5 digits on
each limb because they inherited this trait from a distant common ancestor
The two species may have developed the same trait independently in their evolution The canary and bat are both small animals
capable of flight because their species evolved flight independently
Homologous traits: traits that show similar structure but may or may not show the same function Arm bones of a human, bird and whale
Analogous traits: traits that have the same function but not the same structure Wings of a bird and a flying insect
Primitive traits: trait has been inherited from an earlier form
Derived: traits that have changed from an ancestral state
Example- 1st mammals had 5 digits on each hand and foot. Humans have retained this condition. Horses have developed a single digit (toe).
Human Taxonomy Kingdom: Animal Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Mammals
Reproduction: placental mammals Parental Care: prenatal and postnatal patterns Temperature Regulation: homoiotherms Teeth: deciduous teeth/permanent teeth▪ 4 types: incisors, canines, premolars, molars
Skeletal structure: orientation of limbs of 4legged mammals are tucked under body
Behavior: larger forebrain which includes cerebrum Order: Primates
Primate Characteristics
Many features are related to living in trees
2 most important ability to use hands and feet to grasp
branches Ability to perceive distance and depth
Prehensile (capable of grasping) hands and feet Expanded tactile pads Generalized skeletal structure that can be used
in a variety of ways Binocular stereoscopic vision (eyes are located
on front of skull so vision overlaps) Larger, more complex brains associated with
learning, intelligence, body control, and coordination
Small number of offspring, strong mother-infant bond, extended period of growth, variable paternal care
Social creatures- but social structures vary greatly
Social groups Solitary group Monogamous family group Polyandrous group Uni-male group Multimale/multifemale group (most common
non-human primate group) Social organization by dominance (non-
human)
Prosimians “before simians” (monkeys and apes) More primitive Usually lack one or more primate characteristic
(i.e lack color vision) Rely more on smell Brains are generally smaller relative to body size Many are nocturnal All living species are found in Old World 3 different groups:
Lorises- small, solitary, nocturnal in Asia and Africa Tarsiers- small, solitary, nocturnal in Indonesia Lemurs- biologically and socially diverse
Tarsier Lemur
Loris
Anthropoids
Monkeys and hominoids (apes and humans)
Generally larger bodies Larger and more complex brains Rely more on visual abilities More complex social structures Almost all diurnal Both arboreal and terrestrial species Found in Old World and New World
Monkeys Tails! Smaller brains relative to body size Quadrapedal Arms and legs similar length New World
Prehensile tails and four more premolars More proficient in acrobatic agility
Old World Biochemically and physically more similar to humans
(i.e. same number of teeth) More adaptable to different environments (rainforest,
savanna, snowy mountains)
Hominoids
Do not have tails Larger than monkeys Brain is more complex and larger
than monkeys Invest the most time in raising their
young Can raise arms above head Anatomy allows different type of
movement from monkeys- adept at climbing and hanging from branches- suspensory climbers
3 Categories of Hominoids Lesser apes Great apes Humans
Lesser Apes: Gibbons and Siamangs Smallest of the living apes Usual form of movement is
brachiating (hand-over-hand swinging from branch to branch)
Live in tropical rainforests of SE Asia
Diet primarily includes fruits supplemented by leaves
Social group is a monogamous family structure (adult male, adult female, and offspring)
Great Apes (Asia): Orangutans
Males larger than females
Agile climbers and hangers
Arboreal Uses fist-walking
for moving on the ground
Lives in tropical rainforest
Diet consists of mostly fruit (vegetarian)
Solitary social group structure and polygamous
“Man of the Forest”
Great Apes (Africa): Gorillas Largest living primate Found only in equatorial Africa Males larger than females Males have have larger canine teeth and large
crests of bone on top of skulls Most have blackish hair, but some mature males
have silver gray hair on backs “silverbacks” Predominately terrestrial Use knuckle-walking to move about on all fours Arms longer than legs Live in small social groups (about a dozen)- one
adult male, several females and offspring
Silverback
Great Apes (Africa): Chimpanzees Live mostly in African rainforests Slight sexual dimorphism Knuckle walkers Terrestrial and arboreal Diet consists of mostly fruit; some leaves, seeds,
nuts, insects, and meat Have been observed hunting in planned
coordinated groups Live in large communities of 50 or more where
males are dominant over females Show great variation in facial features and
physical appearance
Great Apes (Africa): Bonobos “pygmy chimpanzee” Longer legs, higher center
of gravity, narrower chest than chimpanzee
Frequent knuckle walkers Walk upright more easily Found only in a restricted
rain forest region in Zaire Diet consists of mostly fruit
and some plants Live in large social groups
in which females are dominant
Sex play used as a method of peacekeeping