Primates: Taxonomy, Evolution, and Behavioral Tendencies

Primatology

study of nonhuman primates

Homologies

similarities inherited jointly from a common ancestor

Analogies

similarities due to similar environment

Phylogeny

Branching diagram that shows how primates are related

Kingdom Animalia

The kingdom that includes all animals.

Phylum Chordata

The phylum that includes animals with a notochord.

Class Mammalia

The class that includes all mammals.

Order Primate

The order that includes all primates.

Suborder Prosimii

Includes nocturnal primates such as lemurs, tarsiers, and lorises.

Suborder Anthropoids

Includes traits not seen in fossils before 45 million years ago.

New World Monkeys

Primates found in the forests of central/South America with prehensile tails.

Old World Monkeys

Primates that have full color vision and tails for balance only.

Apes

Hominids that are mostly terrestrial with adaptations from brachiating ancestors.

Grasping

Hands/feet with 5 digits that allow flexibility to encircle.

Opposable thumbs

Thumbs that can touch the other fingers, aiding in grasping.

Stereoscopic vision

Vision that provides depth perception.

Color vision

The ability to see and distinguish colors.

Brain complexity

Ratio of brain size to body size, with a high proportion devoted to memory and thought.

Parental investment

The care provided to single offspring, leading to more learning.

Sociality

The tendency of animals to live in groups and care for young.