TA NOTES - HUMAN ANTHRO

What are key characteristics of primates when compared to other mammals?

No single feature distinguishes primates from other mammals. The anatomical and behavioral features that distinguish primates from members of other mammalian orders include a lack of strong specialization in structure;

HOW DO YOU TELL IF A POPULATION HAS CHANGED WITH TIME?

* Populations and individuals do not evolve, rather individuals can be selected for/against evolution

Features primates share with other mammals-

-features shared with other mammals -Endothermy (warm - blooded) -hair/fur -Mammary glands/infant nursing -placenta -three auditory ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes.) -heterodont dentition (A dentition with different kinds of teeth (heterodonty)—incisors, canines, and cheek teeth) - clavicle -Pentadactylus extremities -four chambered heart with a left aortic arch -enlarged brain-to body size ratio -neocortex and visual cortex: higher cognitive capacities locomotion- greater mobility in hands and feels and limbs Feeding-unspecialized diet, biased towards plant matter Neutral and sensory- greater reliance on vision, less of olfaction, larger brains Life histories- extended, small litters, substantive parental care Hindlimb dominated locomotion Mominin- species belonging to our lineage

What are the major classifications of primates Prof Higham reviewed and how do we tell them apart? Know some key species in each group (i.e. is a baboon a strepsirrhine? What is a tarsier? What is an owl monkey? What are the apes? What about the great apes?)

Primates have traditionally been classified into two major groups on the basis of morphology: prosimians (lemurs, lorises, and tarsiers) and anthropoids (monkeys, apes, and humans). Modern prosimians are smaller and more similar to early primates than the anthropoids are.

Why are tarsiers haplorhines and not strepsirhines? - part of the rear of the orbit is partially closed as a bony plate - dry nose (lack a rhinarium) - complete upper lip - greater reliance on vision rather than olfaction - lack a tapetum lucidum, dental comb, and grooming claw

part of the rear of the orbit is partially closed as a bony plate - dry nose (lack a rhinarium) - complete upper lip - greater reliance on vision rather than olfaction - lack a tapetum lucidum, dental comb, and grooming claw

What is a primate?

A primate is any mammal of the group that includes lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, monkeys, apes, and humans.