Recording-2025-03-12T13:16:44.898Z

Themes in Primatology

• Modes of Locomotion

  • Primates exhibit various forms of locomotion:

    • Leaping: Exemplified by galagos.

    • Quadrupedalism: Seen in baboons, walking on all fours.

    • Brachiation: Gibbons swing through the trees.

    • Bipedalism: Unique to humans.

• Dietary Adaptations

  • Attention to how diet varies among primate species.

• Sociality

  • Exploration of social structures and interactions within primate species.

• Brain Development

  • Investigating the evolution of brain size and complexity among primates.

Taxonomy of Primates

• Constant Revisions

  • Taxonomy is frequently updated based on molecular analyses and genetic similarities.

• Gorilla Classification

  • Previously classified as one species, gorillas are now recognized as two separate species:

    • Western Gorilla: Found in West & Central Africa.

    • Eastern Gorilla: Found in East Africa.

  • Some subspecies have been elevated to species level based on genetic evidence.

• Discovery of New Species

  • Ongoing discoveries such as the Rhinopithecus (snub-nosed monkey) in 2010:

    • Found in Kachin State, Northeastern Myanmar.

    • Locally known but previously unrecognized by Western science.

    • Currently critically endangered due to habitat destruction from development, logging, and hunting.

Diversity of Primates

• Variety of Species

  • An emphasis on the rich diversity in the primate family.

  • Anticipation of further exploration in upcoming lectures.