Primate diversity & evolution
Evolution = change through time (mutation, selection, gene flow, genetic
drift)
- Evolution acts to create diversity
Primate evolution ~ 60 000 000 years
Human evolution ~ 6 000 000 years
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
- One of the more diverse groups of mammals (lots of variation)
- 600+ extant species (similar amount extinct)
Primate habitats:
- The tropics
- Some in grassland, wooded & savannah areas
, - Make use of emergent trees, the
main canopy and understory (3-
dimensional space)
- Very agile
Primate morphology
Ancestral mammalian traits:
- Generalized mammalian body plan
- Retention of clavicle
- Relatively flexible joints in
forelimbs
- Pentadactyly (five fingers)
- Generalized heterodont dentition
(no highly specialized teeth –
widely varied diet)
Derived primate traits:
1. Grasping hands and feet with protective nails – (sensitive pads,
opposable thumb)
2. Stereoscopic binocular (color) vision and a decreasing reliance on
smell
3. Superior dexterity and muscle coordination – (bony ear NB for
balance, retention of clavicle)
4. Relatively large brain & complex social structure
, - Emphasis on learning
- Group living
- Intelligence is NB
- Long life history stages
- Strong mother-offspring bonds
- Single births (or twins)
- Kinship NB
Social organization reflected in sexually dimorphic traits
Large body size
Large canines
Facial coloring
Manes
Cheek pads
Monogamous – little sexual dimorphism, bond for life
Suborder Strepsirrhines (lemurs, lorises, pottos, bush babies, ayes-ayes)
- Rhinarium – moist noses (enhances scent)
- Split upper lip
- Tapetum lucidum – feature in eye allowing night vision
- Post-orbital bar
- Tooth combs
Infraorder Lorisiformes
(lorises, pottos, angwantibos,
galagos)
SE Asia & Africa
Small (< 2kg)
Solitary
Nocturnal
Largely arboreal
Infraorder Lemuriformes
Madagascar & nearby islands
Adaptive radiation
Variable in size & behavior
Variable dental formulae
1/3 of all lemurs extinct in last 1500
years (reduction of habitats & killed)
Infraorder Chiromyiformes (aye-aye)
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