Primate Classification

How are the primates classified?

What characteristics do prosimians have?

• More primitive primate features (older features)

• Grooming nail

• Tooth comb

• Many nocturnal

• Insectivory and gum eating

How are the primates classified?

What characteristics do prosimians have?

• More primitive primate features (older features)

• Grooming nail

• Tooth comb

• Many nocturnal

• Insectivory and gum eating

What do prosimians include?

• Lorises

• Bushbabies

• Lemurs

• Tarsiers

Where are lorises and bushbabies found?

In Africa and Asia (the “old world”)

Where are lemurs found?

Only in Madagascar (no competition, adaptive radiation, and diversification of species)

What are tarsiers?

A taxonomic misfit. They share some features with prosimians but not all (some with anthropoids). They are found on the islands of the southern Philippines, Celebes (Sulawesi), Borneo, Bangka, Belitung, the Natuna Islands, and Sumatra

What are anthropoids?

Primates that have special traits that make them unique from other animals

What are examples of anthropoids?

Humans, monkeys, and apes

What are the characterstics of anthropoids?

Where are New World Monkeys (platyrrhines) found?

In Central America

What are some examples of New World Monkeys?

Spider monkey, howler monkey, and cotton-top tamarin

Where are Old World Monkeys found?

In Africa and Asia

What are some examples of Old World Monkeys?

Baboons (live in dry conditions), patas monkeys, Japanese macaques (can live in the cold)

What are the two types of apes?

• Lesser apes: gibbons (of which there are 9 species)

• Great apes: orangutan, gorilla, chimpanzee, and humans

What are the features of apes?

• Absence of a tail

• Greater rotation of the shoulder

• Longer and stronger collar bones

• Relatively long upper limb relative to hindlimb (except humans)

• Brain size