EXAM 2 FINISHED CARD SET I THINK

Hair

A key feature of Mammalia that provides insulation, sensory input, and sometimes camouflage.

Mandible

In mammals, the mandible is a single bone, as opposed to multiple bones in reptiles.

Mammary glands

All mammals have mammary glands, typically with multiple pairs of nipples.

Tapetum Lucidum

A reflective layer behind the retina that evolved in early nocturnal mammals to aid in low-light survival.

Rhinarium

The moist, hairless surface around the nostrils that aids in scent detection.

Synapomorphy

A shared derived trait that evolved in a common ancestor, defining evolutionary relationships.

Grasping hands and feet

A trait of primates characterized by nails on their toes instead of claws, allowing for dexterity.

Stereoscopic Vision

A condition where overlapping fields of vision from both eyes create a 3D view.

Postorbital bar

A bony arch around the eye socket unique to primates.

Arboreal Hypothesis

The theory that shared primate traits evolved for survival in trees.

Visual Predation Hypothesis

The theory that certain shared traits in primates evolved for hunting small prey.

Tooth Comb

A specialized dental structure in strepsirrhines used for grooming and communication.

Lemuroidea

A group of strepsirrhines native to Madagascar.

Haplorrhini

A suborder of primates that includes tarsiers, monkeys, and apes.

Cladogram

A branching diagram illustrating the evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Anthropoids

The suborder of higher primates that includes monkeys, apes, and humans.

Frugivores

Medium-bodied primates that primarily feed on fruits.

Folivores

Large-bodied primates that specialize in consuming leaves.

Kin Selection

A principle favoring altruistic behaviors that support relatives and enhance shared genetic fitness.

Altruistic behavior

Behavior that benefits others while being disadvantageous to the individual performing it.

Polygyny

A mating system in which one male has multiple female partners.

Polyandry

A mating system in which one female mates with multiple male partners.

Dominance Hierarchies

A social structure in groups where individuals are ranked relative to one another.

Behavioral Ecology

The study of the evolution of behavior, focusing on ecological factors as agents of natural selection.

Non-Vocal Communication

Communication using gestures, body movement, and other forms rather than vocal sounds.

Altruism and Pro-Social Behavior

Behavior that is intended to help others at a cost to oneself.

Half-Life of Carbon-14

The time it takes for half of the radioactive carbon-14 in a sample to decay to a stable form.

Fossils

Preserved remains or traces of ancient life formed through mineral replacement or encasement.

Taphonomy

The study of how organisms decay and become fossilized.

Hair, mandibles, ear bones, mammary glands, tapetum lucidum, rhinarium

Ancestral Mammalian Traits

Grasping hands and feet, enhanced vision, nails, postorbital bar, reduced olfaction, larger brain

Shared Primate Traits

• Strepsirhini

  • Lemurodea

  • Lorisodea

• Haplorrhine

  • Tarsiformes

  • Platyrrhine

  • Catarrhine

  • Anthropoids

Primate Suborders

Tarsiers

Biggest eyes for body size in any primate

Fused mandibular symphysis, Simplex uterus, Single pair of nipples

Anthropoids: Derived Traits

Flat, laterally facing nostrils

Platyrrhines: Derived traits

Downward facing nostrils, two premolars, Ischial Callosity

Catarrhines: Derived traits

Ischial Callosity

Thickened pads of skin located on the buttocks of certain catarrhines and some apes

Cercopithecoids, Hominoids

Subdivisions of Catarrhines

Cercopithecoids

Primates found across Africa and Asia, characterized by tails (non-prehensile), narrow noses, and bilophodont molars adapted for chewing tough vegetations. Up to 70lbs. (CATARRHINE —> HAPPLORRHINE)

Hominoids

Primates found across Africa and Asia, characterized by their lack of tails, larger brain size, and more upright posture than monkeys. Up to 385 lbs. (CATARRHINE —> HAPPLORRHINE)

The response of an individual, group, or species to its environment

Behavior

The sum of the habitat requirements that allow a species to persist

Niche

Leads to longer lifespans

Why are strong social ties important in primates?

Evolution, survival, and reproduction

What does primate behavior help explain?

Social Expression

Primates use behaviors like grooming, touching, and vocalizing to form and maintain relationships

Complex organization

Groups include individuals of different ranks, ages, and sexes who form alliances

Males compete for access to mates

Sexual selection

Male strategy to increase reproductive success

Infanticide

Dominance hierarchies

Influence access to mates and resources

Dominance

The ability to dominate or win against another individual in a one-on-one (dyadic) interaction

Female choice

Often drives sexual selection

Coalitions

Chimpanzees hunt in _______ in which they share meat

Altruistic

Relating to behavior that benefits others while being disadvantageous to the individual

Kin Selection

Favoring altruistic behaviors that help relatives and boost shared genetic fitness

One male, multifemale; one female, multimale; multimale, multifemale; all male

Primate Residence Patterns

One male has multiple mating partners

Polygynous

One female mates with multiple males

Polyandrous

Promiscuous

No exclusive pair bonds

Males form temporary groups, often before joining mixed-sex groups

All male primate groups

Warnings, social bonding, coordination

Vocal call purposes

Sympatry

Multiple species share habitats

Social custom

A learned and shared pattern of behavior or practice that members of a group follow

Quality, distribution, availability

Primate Diet Key Factors

Insects, fruits, leaves

Categories of Primate Food

Taphonomy

Study of the deposition of plant or animal remains and the environmental conditions affecting their preservation

Stratigraphy

Study of rock layers and the sequence of events they reflect

13.8 billion years

Age of the universe

Geologic Deep Time

Vast span of Earth’s history — billions of years — revealed through layers of rock, fossils, and geological processes, allowing scientists to study the planet’s formation and evolution on an immense temporal scale

Hadean, Archaean, Proterozoic, Phanerozoic

Order of Eons

Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic

Phanerozoic Eras

Paleogene, Neogene, Quaternary

Cenozoic Periods

Pleistocene, Holocene

Quaternary Epochs

Isotope

Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons are called isotopes

Radioisotopes (Carbon-14) and Stable Isotopes (Carbon-13)

Types of Isotopes

Radioisotope

8 neutrons, 6 protons

Stable isotope

7 neutrons, 6 protons

Half-life

The amount of time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay into a more stable from

Osteology

The study of bones.

Subfield

A specialized area within a broader field of study.

Bioarcheology

The study of human remains in archaeological contexts.

Forensic Anthropology

The application of skeletal analysis to medicolegal cases.

Paleoanthropology

The study of ancient humans and their ancestors through fossil remains.

Primatology

The study of non-human primates and their behavior.

Bone tissue

A type of living and dynamic connective tissue that forms bones.

Cortical bone

Dense, strong outer layer of bone, also known as compact bone.

Trabecular bone

Porous, lightweight inner layer of bone, also known as spongy bone.

Flat bones

Bones that protect internal organs and provide surfaces for muscle attachment.

Long bones

Tubular bones that support weight and enable movement.

Irregular bones

Bones with complex shapes that fit special functions.

Cartilage

A flexible connective tissue that cushions joints and supports structures.

Hematopoiesis

The process of formation of blood cells in red bone marrow.

Calcium

The most abundant mineral in the body, essential for various physiological functions.

Superior (Cranial)

Toward the head or upper part of the body.

Inferior (Caudal)

Toward the feet or lower part of the body.

Medial

Towards the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Anterior (Ventral)

Towards the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Towards the back of the body.

Proximal

Nearer to the limb’s portion of attachment to the axial skeleton.