Apes
Proconsul
Africa
Sivapithecus
Asia
Compare and contrast chimpanzee and bonobo societies. How are they different? What might this tell us about human nature and evolution?
Chimps are way more violent than bonobos (female is dispersed and male chimps are related); bonobos are a peaceful society similar to humans. Bonobos and humans are the only species that use sex for anything other than reproduction; bonobos use it to resolve tension. Females are dominant and more female relationships in a bonobo community. This tells us that we are more similar to bonobos in our characteristics, but it offers insights as to whether we are a more peaceful or violent species. chimps use tools and bonobos have no evidence of tool use in the wild
Where are chimps and bonobos found?
Chimps: Africa Bonobos: Africa, Democratic republic of congo
What are the genus and species names for these primates?
Chimps: pan troglodytes Bonobo: pan paniscus
Drycopithecus
Europe
To what family do orangutans belong? What is the genus name for these primates? Where are they found? How many species are there? What is their social structure and mating system? What is their diet? Locomotion?
Family: Hominidae Genus: Pongo. They are found in Borneo and Sumatra. 2 species SS: noyau, Locomotion: quadrumanous climbing Diet:Frugivores
To what family do gibbons and siamangs belong? Where are they found? What is their social structure? Mating system? Diet?
Family: Hylobatidae Location: Southeast Asia Social Structure, mating system: pair-bonded, monogamous (less sexual dimorphism) Diet: Frugivorous + leaves and flowers
Adult social interactions within gorilla societies occur primarily among what individuals?
Females do not typically affiliate with non related females; most social interactions occur between adult females and the silverback male
What are two alternative mating strategies for adult male orangutans?
Flanged males: Call for a female and wait Unflanged males: roam and force copulations
Hylobatidae
Gibbons and siamangs = small apes
What is unique about gibbon locomotion and how are they adapted to this mode of travel? How do they compare to other primates in regard to quickness and agility in the trees?
Gibbons are suspensory and they have very long fingers, and curved bones adapted to living in the trees. They are extremely quick and agile in the trees compared to other primates. brachiating!!!
What is the largest primate to have ever lived?
Gigantopithecus - early ape ancestor
Where are they found? How many species are there? What is their social structure and mating system? What is their diet? Locomotion?
Gorillas are found in Africa There are two different species: Western and Eastern Gorillas Their diet is folivorous Locomotion: suspensory, knuckle walking Polygynous (females and silverback male)
To what family do gorillas belong? What is the genus name for these primates?
Gorillas belong to the family hominidae and the genus gorilla
Hominidae
Great apes (orangutans, chimps, bonobos, gorillas, humans)
What is highly unusual about the orangutan social structure? Why do they display this type of structure? Under what condition does their social structure change?
Orangutans don't really have social groups due to a lack of resources; males and females only come together to mate and males can attract females through their loud calls Their social structure can change if there are enough resources available and they all come together if their is more fruit
What is the threat status of orangutans? What is the primary threat they face in the wild? What is unusual about their interbirth interval?
Orangutans have an interbirth interval of 9 years which has lead to them being an critical endangered species. However, the primary threat they face in the wild is habitat loss (logging; palm oil)
What is an example of a Miocene ape from Africa? Europe? Asia? What is unusual about the locomotion of some of these extinct apes compared to modern apes?
Proconsul (Africa) Dryopithecus (Europe) Sivapithecus (Asia) From their heads they looked much like modern apes, but their bodies resembled monkeys and moved more like an arboreal quadruped and not suspensory.
What is chimps and bonobos social structure and mating system? What is their diet? Locomotion?
Social structure: multi male, multi female; fission fusion Diet: frugivorous, can supplement with meat Activity: diurnal Locomotion: suspensory, knuckle walking
Why is the Miocene known as the "Age of Apes?" What is different about ape and monkey diversity in the Miocene compared to today?
There was lots of variation in apes in the Miocene in their diet, location, size, etc. that you don't see today ; today we have much more monkeys and less apes
What shared derived features unite the living apes?
Y-5 molar pattern Brains are larger and more complex Apes have a high IMI, indicating they are suspensory Apes also have short and stiff backs due to fewer lumbar vertebrae Broad & shallow thorax (ribcage) No tail
To what family do chimpanzees and bonobos belong?
hominidae