Try this: Write your name without using your thumbs! 16.1 Primate Evolution Try this: Write your name without using your thumbs!

Primate Evolution 1871 Darwin said there might be a link between monkeys, apes and humans Today scientists study living primates and fossils to learn about primate evolution

Primate Evolution A primate is a group of mammals that includes lemurs, monkeys, apes and humans Vervet

Primate Evolution Primate features Opposable thumbs – allows primates to grasp Large brain volume, round head and flat face Strong vision, binocular vision Flexible arm movement – for moving in trees Flexible joints – allow for wide range of motion Feet that can grasp objects

Primate Evolution Primate features Opposable thumbs Large brain volume Strong vision, binocular vision Flexible arm movement Flexible joints Feet that can grasp objects

Primate Evolution Similarities tell us primates share evolutionary history Evidence = anatomy, genetics

Primate Evolution Prosimians lemurs, aye-ayes, tarsiers Small bodies, large eyes, nocturnal Live in tropical forests and eat insects, seeds, fruit First fossils 50-55 million years old

Primate Evolution Anthropoids Monkeys, hominoids (apes and humans) Larger bodies, more complex brains than prosimians

Primate Evolution Anthropoids Monkeys New World Monkeys Old World Monkeys

Primate Evolution Anthropoids Monkeys New World Monkeys South and Central America Arboreal – live in trees Prehensile tail – can grip Marmosets and spider monkeys

Primate Evolution Anthropoids Monkeys Old World Monkeys Africa to Japan Some live in trees, some on land Tail not prehensile, larger than NWM Colobus monkeys and baboons

Primate Evolution Anthropoids Monkeys Hominoids New World Monkeys Old World Monkeys Hominoids Apes Humans

Primate Evolution Anthropoids Monkeys Hominoids New World Monkeys Old World Monkeys Hominoids Apes No tails, muscular arms for tree climbing Social groups, long term parental care Gibbons, orangutans, chimpanzees, gorillas Humans

Primate Evolution Anthropoids Monkeys Hominoids New World Monkeys Old World Monkeys Hominoids Apes Humans Walk upright Larger brain

Primate Evolution Anthropoids Evolved worldwide New World monkeys – 30 – 35 million years ago Old World Monkeys – 20 – 22 million years ago Hominoids - gibbons, then orangutans, then chimps and gorillas, then humans