Recording-2025-03-13T08_11_08.791Z

Primate Classification Overview

• Focus on higher-level taxonomic categories relevant to primate radiation.

• Key themes to revisit: teeth, locomotion, brain size, vision, olfaction.

Distinguishing Taxa

• Anthropoids vs. Prosimians: Know defining characteristics.

• Sarcopithecoidea and Hominoidea: Understand classifications of higher taxa but omit lower-level species details.

• Familiarize with the classification structure in the unit.

Prosimians

• Oldest Primate Group: Diverged early and followed a unique evolutionary path.

• Key Characteristics:

  • Reliance on olfaction (sense of smell) over vision.

  • Possess a snout for enhanced olfactory capabilities.

  • Utilize scent marking for territory demarcation.

  • Dental comb: Forward-projecting teeth for grooming and feeding.

  • Mandible: Lower jaw bones are incompletely fused; a diagnostic trait.

  • Dental Formula: 2-1-3-3 over 2-1-3-3 (indicates tooth arrangement).

  • Presence of a postorbital bar.

  • Most are nocturnal; active during the night.

  • Feature a tapetum lucidum: reflective layer in the eye for low-light vision.

  • Primarily quadrupedal: Most move on all fours, with some exceptions.

Highlighted Diagnostic Traits (Important to Remember)

• Olfaction reliance, snout, scent marking, dental comb, incomplete mandible fusion, dental formula, postorbital bar, nocturnal behavior, tapetum lucidum.