Primatology The study of primates and how their behavior is similar to human behavior

Primate Characteristics (Mammal) Intelligence (brain size) Live birth Infant dependency Efficient Respiratory System –Mouth, nose, diaphragm, 4 chamber heart = more active Constant body temp. Fewer bones Specialized teeth

Why did primates emerge? 70 million years ago, climate changed Forests developed-no more swamps Forests provide food and habitat –ARBOREAL: tree dwelling –Chewing teeth –Prehensile hands and feet (grasp) –Less need for claws

Primate Sense Organs Highly developed sense of touch Poorly developed sense of smell Highly developed sense of sight –Stereoscopic (3 Dimensional sight) –Caused increased brain size –Color vision

Primate Skeleton Cranium (brain case) is high and vaulted Foramen magnum (connects spine to brain) is low and centered on skull Smell decreased – nose/snout smaller Clavicle and Scapula allow arm strength Pentadactyl (5 digits) Sexual dimorphism: different sizes btw male and female

Primate Reproduction Usually few offspring Grips to mom as she climbs in trees Long period of dependency Sexes live together –Unpredictable sex times What about all those multiple births?

The Primate Order Turned nose Simple nose

Madagascar only

Tarsiers Can move head 180 degrees Digits end with adhesive discs Nocturnal insect eaters Arboreal

New World Monkeys Live in South and Central America Flat nose, wide-flaring nostrils Arboreal with prehensile tails Walk on all fours with palms down Extra set of premolars

Closely spaced, downward pointing nostrils Arboreal or terrestrial Two sets of premolars

Similar characteristics of humans Lower bones of arms and legs Opposable thumbs Fovea Centralis (allows the primate to focus on a particular object without losing sight of surroundings) Similar physical reproduction Bipedal Tool making (only chimps in wild)

Social Behaviors of Primates Live in group settings  Families Hierarchy of Power Fight for power –Food –Territory –Sex

Social Behaviors of Primates Group (Social) grooming

Social Behaviors of Primates Interest surrounding new birth Play: somersaults, Tug-Of-War, King of the Mountain, Wrestle

Social Behaviors of Primates Baboons choose friends as fathers Few are monogamous Territorial with women Promiscuous

Human Differences Humans are totally bipedal Our brains are three times larger Super long dependency of offspring Humans have a spoken/symbolic language Humans can reason

Human Differences Humans have social institutions to pass along culture Humans can control environment Division of labor Humans have different spinal cord, feet, pelvis Our legs are longer than our arms