Knowt 6 - Living Primates

Characteristics and Survey

Paleozoic Era

1. First amphibians and reptiles

2. 541 - 251 Ma

Mesozoic Era

1. "Age of Reptiles"

2. First mammals (ca. 150 Ma)

3. 252 - 66 Ma

Cenozoic Era

1. 65 – 0 Ma

2. Adaptive radiation of mammals

Mammals

1. Enlarged neocortex, placental development, heterodontia, endothermic

2. ca. 150 Ma

Plesiadapiforms

1. An order of primate-like mammals (proprimates)

2. Ancestor to all primates (?)

3. ca. 66 – 55 Ma

Euprimates

1. Omomyids (ca. 56 – 34 Ma)

2. Adapids (ca. 55 – 34 Ma)

1. Omomyids (ca. 56 – 34 Ma)

1. Adapids (ca. 55 – 34 Ma)

Primate Characteristics

1. Limbs and Locomotion

2. Diet and Teeth

3. Senses and the Brain

4. Maturation, Learning, Behavior

Limbs and Locomotion

1. Erect posture (d)

2. Flexible and generalized limbs (a)

3. Prehensile hands and feet (d)

4. Nails instead of claws (d)

Diet and Teeth

5. Generalized dentition (a)

6. Generalized diet (a)

Senses and the Brain

7. Color vision (d)

8. Binocular and stereoscopic vision (d)

9. Decreased reliance on olfaction (d)

10. More complex brain (d)

Maturation, Learning, Behavior

11. Longer gestation; prolonged maturation; longer lives (d)

12. Dependent on learned behavior (d)

13. Social living arrangements (d)

14. Diurnal (d)

Dental Formula

1. A ratio expressing the number of each tooth type in one quadrant of the mouth

2. Primates have molars with low, rounded cusps

Dental Formula Examples

1. Placental Mammals: 3.1.4.3

2. OW Primates: 2.1.2.3

3. NW Monkeys: 2.1.3.3

Arboreal Hypothesis

Traits evolved as adaptations for living in trees

Visual Predation Hypothesis

Traits evolved as adaptations for hunting prey

Angiosperm Radiation Hypothesis

Traits evolved as adaptations for collecting fruits

Primate Classification Map

Primates Map