D. Diet & Teeth Generalized dentition – variety of non-specialized teeth Lack of dietary specialization Mostly omnivorous – variety of food (mostly plants/fruit) Dietary preferences, tooth structure varies by species

E. Reproduction Only occurs while female is in estrus = period of sexual receptivity Long gestational period Usually single infant births Distinct life stages Prolonged infant dependency Delayed sexual maturation

F. Behavior & Organization Highly social & intelligent 2. Tendency to live in social groups Mother-infant unit is foundation Greater dependence on learned behavior

G. Communication Use of vocalizations/call systems Distinct by age & sex Alert to danger/threat Location of food source Important in dense forest to communicate Can USE but not SPEAK language Lack the vocal apparatus necessary to form words Specific genes (Foxp2) involved in spoken language

H. Primate ecology (habitat) Primarily arboreal (tree-dwelling) Tropical forests and woodlands Occupy different layers/levels of forest Have defined home range & territory Different use of space & resources helps avoid competition and conflict Some terrestrial species (baboons, gorillas)

I. Threats to Primates Loss of habitat due to deforestation Hunting (for meat) Poaching Captured for sale Killed for body parts

Why study non-human primates? To decipher evolutionary trends Transition from quadrupedalism to bipedalism Transition from arboreal to terrestrial way of life To use as a basis of comparison Biological development (comparative anatomy) Social development (how our ancestors may have lived)