The Primates

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to primates as presented in the lecture notes.

Primates

A vertebrate class within Mammalia, consisting of 230-270 species.

Vertebrae Class – Mammalia

Classification that includes all mammals.

Unique Traits

Differing characteristics among primate species that suit them for specific ecological niches.

Erect Posture

Tendency among primates to stand upright, considered a derived trait.

Generalized Limb Structure

Flexible limb anatomy allowing various forms of locomotion.

Prehensile Hands

Hands adapted for grasping, found in many primates as a derived trait.

Opposable Thumb

A thumb that can touch the other fingers, allowing for grasping.

Nails Instead of Claws

Trait seen in most primates, excluding some New World monkeys.

Tactile Pads

Fingers or toes enriched with sensory nerves, a derived trait.

Omnivorous

Dietary characteristic of primates, indicating a lack of dietary specialization.

Generalized Dentition

A dental structure that is non-specialized and common among ancestral primates.

Stereoscopic Sight

Ability to perceive depth through the use of both eyes, a derived trait.

Color Vision

Ability to see in color, prevalent in Old World primates.

Nocturnal Species

Primate species that are active at night and often lack color vision.

Behavioral Flexibility

Increased reliance on learned behaviors as a derived trait.

Social Groups

Primates' tendency to live in social groups, often with male associations.

Diurnal Activity Patterns

Behavior characterized by active periods during the daylight.

Primate Dietary Adaptations

Varied diets emphasizing fruits, seeds, leaves, and animals based on habitat.

Locomotion

Types of movement observed in primates, such as quadrupedalism.

Brachiation

Arm swinging locomotion primarily seen in gibbons and siamangs.

Knucklewalking

Locomotion wherein primates walk on their knuckles, seen in great apes.

Strepsirrhines

Suborder of primates including lemurs and lorises, characterized as more primitive.

Haplorrhines

Suborder that encompasses tarsiers, monkeys, apes, and humans.

Dental Comb

A feature of strepsirrhines used for grooming, formed by the lower incisors.

Galagos

Also known as bush babies, nocturnal primates with unique locomotion.

Old World Monkeys

Monkeys from Africa and Asia with narrow noses, known as catarrhines.

New World Monkeys

Monkeys from Central and South America, known for their broad noses.

Polyandrous Mating

Breeding system involving multiple males and one female.

Homoplasy

The process by which analogous structures evolve independently.

Sexual Dimorphism

Differences in size or appearance between sexes of a species.

Arboreal Living Hypothesis

A theory suggesting that primates adapted to life in trees.

Visual Predator Hypothesis

Theory that primate traits evolved for hunting insects in vegetation.

Frugivorous

Diet consisting mainly of fruits, common among many primate species.

Quadrupedalism

Locomotion using four limbs, predominant in most primates.

Hominoids

Superfamily including apes and humans, characterized by larger body size.

Gibbons and Siamangs

Small-bodied apes known for brachiation and strong pair bonds.

Orangutans

Primates known for their solitary nature and extensive tree-climbing.

Gorillas

Large primate species exhibiting marked sexual dimorphism.

Chimpanzees

Social, intelligent primates known for complex social behaviors.

Bonobos

Close relatives of chimpanzees, emphasizing peace and matriarchal bonds.

Hominins

Group that includes modern humans and our closest extinct relatives.

Bushmeat

Wild animal flesh sold for consumption, often impacting primate populations.

Endangered Primates

Primate species facing threats to their survival due to habitat loss.

Cross River Gorilla

A critically endangered species of gorilla with a limited population.

Human Hominin Characteristics

Notable traits include habitual bipedalism and advanced cognitive abilities.

Fetal Nourishment

Advanced means of nourishment seen in primates, allowing for longer gestation.