Lecture 13 - Order Primates

Order primates

One of the oldest mammalian orders.

• Likely originated in the Cretaceous period.

Order primates classification

Order primates

• Suborders: Strepsirhini & Haplorhini

• 15 families

• 362 species

Distinguishing characteristics

• Forward-facing eyes w/ color vision.

• Increased reliance on vision (leading to reduced noses, loss of vibrissae, small/hairless ears).

• Opposable thumbs and flattened nails for fingertip protection.

• Primitive limb structure - one upper limb bone and two lower limb bones.

• Teeth are bunodont (low, rounded, molar cusps) and brachydont (low crowns).

• Diet shifted to fruits, seeds, and foliage with a decline in meat.

• Various movements include knuckle walking, brachiation (swinging), and bipedalism (on hind feet only).

• Prehensile hands and feet (grasping).

Dental combs

Found in suborder Strepsirhini.

Senses and the brain

• Color vision is present in diurnal species but not nocturnal species.

• Stereoscopic vision - allows the ability to see in three dimensions (depth perception).

• Binocular vision - the ability to see with both eyes simultaneously.

• Decreased reliance on sense of smell (olfaction).

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