1. THE PRIMATES
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

2. Origins – tree shrews Not Primates but closely related
Similar to the common ancestor of all placental mammals
Small, insectivorous, arboreal mammals
Tree shrew (Lyonogale tana)
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

3. Primate characteristics
Arborial
Grasping hands
Finger nails & finger pads with ridges
Binocular vision
Diurnal
Colour vision
Large brain
High degree of parental care
Long childhood
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

4. The Prosimians
Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta)

5. The Prosimians Muzzel Immobile upper lip Developed sense of smell
Ears can orientate
Evolved from about 63 Ma
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

6. The Old World Monkeys
Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

7. The Old World Monkeys Narrow nose Tail (when present) never prehensile
Mostly diurnal
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

8. The New World Monkeys
Howler monkey (Alouatta sp.)

9. The New World Monkeys Split from the old world monkeys about 40 Ma
Flat-nosed
More premolars
Long tails, some prehensile
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

10. The Apes Gorilla gorilla Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) © JGI
Gibbon (Hylobates lar)
Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) © JGI
Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus)

11. The Gibbons From SE Asia Small 5–7kg Brachiators No tail
Longevity: years
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

12. The Apes - Orangutans From SE Asia
Large ape females 40-50kg males kg
Very flexible in their locomotion
No tail
Longevity: up to 35 years
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

13. The Apes – Gorillas and Chimpanzees
Large Chimps 30-40kg Gorilla female 90kg male 160kg
Knuckle walk and climb
No tail
Chimps use simple tools
Longevity 40 years
Gorilla herbivore
Chimp Omnivore
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS