Primate Behavior and Taxonomy Overview

Taxonomy

The science of naming and describing and classifying organisms

Similarity

Relationship; most animal groups share one or more similarities

Comparative Method

Comparing primates and other animals to identify biological causes of similarities and differences among species

Conceptual Models

Abstract ideas serving as a foundation for concrete facts

Referential Models

Using patterns seen in specific types to understand particular aspects of human behavior, biology, and evolution

Primate Evolution

Using comparative methods and referential models to understand characteristics and appearance of primates

Primate Biology

Studying the biological aspects of primates

Primate Ecology

Studying how primate traits are adaptations to their environment

Primate Sociality

Advantages and disadvantages of living in social groups for primates

Classification

Organizing items into categories based on specific criteria

Taxonomy (Biology)

Organizing organisms based on similarities and differences reflecting evolutionary relationships

Phylogeny

Evolutionary history and relationships of a particular clade

Phylogenetic Tree

Visual representation of a group of phylogeny clades

Primitive (retained) traits

Traits that have not changed from an ancestral state

Derived (modified) traits

Traits that have changed from an ancestral state

Order (Humans)

Primates

Suborder (Humans)

Haplorhini

Infraorder (Humans)

Simiiformes

Parvorder (Humans)

Catarrhini

Family (Humans)

Hominidae

Genus (Humans)

Homo

Species (Humans)

Sapiens

Primitive traits (Humans)

Pentadactyl (five fingers)

Strepsirrhini (Derived traits)

Tooth comb and Grooming Claw used for grooming

Infraorder Lorisitormes

Nocturnal African and Asian Strepsirrhini Primates

Family Lorisidae

African 'Potto' and Asian 'Loris' with small bodies, slow foraging, and reduced index finger

Family Galagidae

Sub-Saharan African nocturnal primates with fast and agile movement, complex calls, and specialized anatomy

Infraorder Lemuriformes

Lemurs of Madagascar evolving in isolation for about 55 million years

Adaptive Radiation

Formation of many new species following the availability of new environments

Sexual Dimorphism

Distinct differences in size or appearance between males and females beyond genitalia differences

Diverse species

Refers to the variety of different species within a specific group or habitat.

Sunning

The act in which lemurs sit and bask in the sun.

Family Indriidae

A family of lemurs including the Genus Indri.

Monogamous/territorial calls

Communication calls used by lemurs to establish and maintain monogamous relationships and territories.

Infraorder Tarsiiformes

A taxonomic group including the Tarsier, the oldest Haplorhine clade dating back 45 million years.

Vertical clinging and leaping

A mode of locomotion where an animal moves by clinging vertically to trees or branches and leaping between them.

Convergent Evolution - Owls

Similar adaptations between Tarsiers and Owls, including beak-like incisors, parabolic reflectors for hearing prey, and a flexible neck that can turn 270 degrees.

Trichromatic color vision

The ability to perceive three different colors, a trait common in many diurnal simiiformes primates and some marsupials.

Prehensile tail

A tail that can be used to grasp or hold objects, often seen in larger species of Neotropical primates.

Procumbant incisors

Specialized incisors found in Marmosets that are adapted for feeding on insects and gum.

Referential model

A concept used to explain tool use in Capuchin Monkeys as an example of learning through observation and imitation.

Enlarged Hyoid bone

A bone in the throat of Howler Monkeys that allows them to make loud vocalizations.

Fission fusion

A social organization seen in Spider Monkeys where groups split and merge frequently.

Sperm competition

Competition between sperm from different males to fertilize a female's egg, seen in Muriqui monkeys with large testes.

Cheek pouches

Skin pockets inside the cheek of some primates that can store food, reducing feeding competition and predation.

Ischial callosities

Thick fleshy pads on the bottom, may evolved for comfortable sitting

Cercopithecidae

Arboreal Guenons, anatomically very similar, with long tail, quadrupedal, and reduced sexual dimorphism

Sympatric

Living in the same area (forests) with striking differences in coloration to maintain species boundaries

Sexual selection

A type of natural selection where females or males choose to mate with individuals with certain traits, leading to distinct forms in the sexes

Erythrocebus patas

Patas monkeys found along the equator, the fastest primate (35 mph), with extreme sexual dimorphism and female dominance

Mandrills and Drills

Located in West Central Africa, sexually dimorphic in color and body size, with male coloration related to testosterone levels

Gelada Baboon

Located in mountain areas, one male, multi-female groups, extreme sexual dimorphism, and males use various displays to intimidate

Colobinae

Primates emphasizing feeding on leaves, with adaptations like sacculated stomachs to digest leaves efficiently

African Colobus Monkeys

Arboreal primates with long, furry tails, color-coded fur changes, and were popular for their fur leading to a decline in population

Asian Colobines

Diverse group with at least 44 species, arboreal and terrestrial, found in various habitats including subtropical forests and mountains

Semnopithecus Gray Langur

Native to India, considered sacred, and adapted to living with humans

Rhinopithecus Snub-nosed monkeys

Studied by Chinese primatologists, live in temperate habitats, and exhibit considerable sexual dimorphism

Parvoder Catarrhini

Includes Hominidae, Hylobatidae - Apes and humans, highly derived group with climbing and suspensory adaptations

Gorilla beringei

Diet is more folivorous, eating herbs, pith, wild celery, leaves, with a large body size and highly sexually dimorphic features

Chimpanzees and Bonobos

Genus Pan, with different social organizations, reproduction patterns, and locomotion styles