ANHB110 Primates_2_

Introduction

• Topic: Taxonomic Approach to Primate Variation

• Presenter: A/Prof Cyril C. Grueter

• Institution: School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia

• Course: Human Biology I (2025)

Learning Outcomes

• Develop an appreciation for primate diversity.

• Understand the taxonomic classifications of Primates and the relevance of intermediate traits.

• Be capable of classifying primates to Superfamily or Family level.

Taxonomic Hierarchy of Primates

Order: Primates

• Suborders:

  • Strepsirhini (Strepsirhines)

    • Infraorder: Lemuriformes, Tarsiiformes

  • Haplorhini (Haplorhines)

    • Infraorders: Platyrrhini (New World anthropoids) and Catarrhini (Old World anthropoids)

• Superfamilies:

  • Lemuroidea (lemurs)

  • Lorisoidea (lorises)

  • Tarsioidea (tarsiers)

  • Ceboidea (New World monkeys)

  • Cercopithecoidea (Old World monkeys)

  • Hominoidea (apes and humans)

Superfamilies and Families

• Strepsirhini:

  • Superfamily: Lemuroidea

    • Family: Lemuridae (lemurs)

  • Superfamily: Lorisoidea

    • Family: Lorisidae (lorises), Galagidae (galagos or bush babies)

• Haplorhini:

  • Infraorder: Platyrrhini (New World Monkeys)

    • Superfamily: Ceboidea

  • Infraorder: Catarrhini (Old World Monkeys and Apes)

    • Superfamily: Cercopithecoidea (Old World monkeys)

    • Superfamily: Hominoidea (apes and humans)

Prosimian Characteristics

Prosimii

• Definition: "Before monkeys"—the earliest primate group (55+ MYA).

• Characteristics:

  • Mostly nocturnal with reliance on olfaction.

  • Long snouts, moist pads (rhinarium), scent marking, split upper lip, dental combs, unfused mandible.

  • Dental formula: 2133/2133.

  • Post-orbital bar (not a plate).

Lorisoidea

• Families:

  • Lorisidae (lorises)

  • Galagidae (galagos)

• Habitat: Africa and Southeast Asia

• Characteristics:

  • Nocturnal, arboreal, solitary, quadrupedal climbers.

  • Dental formula: 2133/2133.

Family Lorisidae (Lorises)

Key Species:

• Nycticebus coucang (Slow loris)

  • Habitat: Southeast Asia

  • Weight: 400 grams; nocturnal; venomous.

• Loris tardigradus (Slender loris)

  • Size: 200 grams; slow and cryptic; nocturnal behavior.

Family Galagidae (Bush Babies)

Characteristics:

• Habitat: Continental Africa

• Features:

  • Long bushy tails, large ears, nocturnal leapers.

Family Lemuridae (Lemurs)

General Characteristics:

• Habitat: Madagascar

• Most species are nocturnal and arboreal, some exhibit torpor (state of reduced physiological activity).

• Dominance: Female dominant species such as in Mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.) which are the smallest primates.

Example Species:

• Lemur catta (Ring-tailed Lemur)

  • Characteristics: 3 kg; diurnal; scent-mark vegetation.

• Indri indri (Indri)

  • Size: Approximately 7 kg; diurnal; vertically clinging and leaping.

Tarsioidea

Description:

• Intermediate group between Prosimii and Anthropoidea.

• Characteristics:

  • Habitat: East Asia; nocturnal and arboreal.

  • Weight: 110 grams; dental formula 2133/1133; diet consists entirely of animal prey.

Anthropoidea Characteristics

General Features:

• Includes New World monkeys and Old World monkeys, as well as apes.

• Shared Traits:

  • No grooming claw, all nails, no tapetum lucidum, larger relative brain size than prosimians, fused lower jaw, shorter snout.

Platyrrhini (New World Monkeys)

Characteristics:

• Family Ceboidea:

  • Prehensile tails present in some species; dental formula usually 2133/2133; sideways-facing nostrils.

• Habitat: Fully arboreal; mostly diurnal, except for some exceptions.

• Major Families: Cebidae and Callitrichidae.

Cebidae:

• Diverse family with a size range of >3-8 kg; dietary habits include leaves and fruit.

• Notable Genera: Capuchin (Cebus), Howler (Alouatta), Spider monkey (Ateles).

Callitrichidae:

• All species are <1 kg; dental formula 2132/2132; known for being social and familial (usually in groups of 5-10).

• Notable Species: Pygmy marmoset (Cebuella) and Golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus).

Catarrhini—Cercopithecoidea (Old World Monkeys)

Characteristics:

• Family: Cercopithecidae.

• Key Features:

  • Dental: 2123/2123; bilophodont molars; ischial callosities; no prehensile tail.

  • Habitat: Wide variety, from tropical forests to savannahs.

Subfamilies:

• Cercopithecinae:

  • Generally fruit eaters; notable for large bisexual groups.

• Colobinae:

  • Leaf eaters with complex stomachs; usually arboreal.

Example Species:

• Patas monkey (Erythrocebus) as the fastest runner among primates.

Catarrhini—Hominoidea (Apes and Humans)

Key Features:

• Characteristics:

  • Larger body size typically, lack of tail, specialized limb arrangements for brachiation, Y-5 molars.

  • Notable for prolonged dependency on offspring.

Classification:

• Gibbons (Hylobatidae): often monogamous and arboreal.

• Orangutans (Pongidae): largely solitary and quadrumanous.

• Hominidae (great apes and humans).

Hominidae Examples:

• Gorillas: Generally large, terrestrial, and folivorous.

• Chimpanzees and Bonobos: Known for complex social structures and tool usage; chimps hunt cooperatively, while bonobos engage in social bonding through sexual behaviors.