1. PRIMATES Include prosimians, apes, monkeys and human
Chapter 43: Section 4
PRIMATES
Include prosimians, apes, monkeys and human

2. Primate Characteristics
Generalist Teeth
(herbivorous and omnivorous teeth)
Large brain parts relative to size
Communication
(broad range of expression
and sounds)
Acute Color Vision
(binocular vision,
depth perception)
Infant Care
(attention to young,
mammary glands)
Social Organization
(groups with complex
behaviors among
members.)
Characteristic skeletal structure
(sit upright, cling)
Manual Dexterity
(opposable thumbs,
Flattened nails for
Protection)

3. Prosimians Most primitive primates “pre-monkeys” Nocturnal
Sensitive vision
Complex tactile hairs
Large, movable ears
Strong sense of smell
Developed hand control
Tropical woodlands
Most are endangered
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4. Monkeys New World vs Old World
Flat nosed
Nostrils far apart and open to the side
No cheek pouches
No buttock pads
Thumb lies in line with other digits
Arboreal habitats
Small to medium sized
Down-facing nose
Nostrils close together and open downward or forward
Prominent buttock pads that they sit on
Tails, but not used for grasping/holding
Thumb is rotated and more opposable
Wide range of habitats
Generally larger

5. Old World Monkeys: RED
New World Monkeys: Orange

9. Usually larger and heavier
No tail
More upright body posture
Broad chest
Rely on vision rather than smell
Large brain to body size ratio
*a few exceptions to these rules

10. GREAT APES
Orangutans, Chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas, bonobos and human
Family Hominidae
Face is almost naked
Round ears
No cheek pouches
Thumb is shorter than fingers
Distinguish color
Wide range of vocalizations and facial expressions
*at DNA level, human is more related to chimp, than a chimp is related to a gorilla

12. Anthropoids Monkeys, apes, humans Adaptations
Rotating shoulder and elbow joints
Opposable thumb
Grasping feet (nonhuman)
More complex brain structure
Larger brain relative to body
Similar dental formula
red bald-headed uakari

13. Hominids Include: humans and extinct humanlike anthropoid species
Bipedalism: ability to walk upright
Why?
Adaptations
Bowl-shaped human pelvis to support internal organs
Spine curves in an S shape-allows for upright posture
Toes are aligned with each other and shorter than apes

14. Australopithecus anamensis
Found 1995, Mary Leakey
Kenya
Similar to Chimpanzee but bipedal
4.2 mya
Oldest known member of genus

15. Australopithecus afarensis (Lucy)
1974
Afar Valley of N. Ethiopia
Most complex and best preserved skeleton of prehuman hominid
3.2 mya

17. Australopithecus africanus
Southern Africa
mya
Taller/heavier than Lucy
Slightly larger brain capacity
Skull
Spinal cord opening bottom

18. Australopithecus robustus
Southern Africa
Large teeth and jaws
Different lineage than Lucy
Australopithecus boisei
Eastern Africa
Boney ridge on crest of head
Anchor large jaw muscles
2 mya

20. Homo habilis “handy-man” 1960s, East Africa Stone tools
Body not much taller than Lucy
4 ft tall
2 mya

21. Homo erectus “upright human” “Java man”
Thicker skull, larger brow ridges
Lower forehead
Large, protruding teeth
5 ft tall
Crude tools and fire
Hunted and cooked
Lived in tribes of 20-50

22. Homo neaderthalensis Europe and Asia 230,000 - 30,000 yrs ago
Heavy bones
Thick brows
Protruding jaws
Lived in caves
Stone scraper tools
Care for dead
Not sure what caused extinction

24. Homo sapiens Appeared in Africa
1st discovery in Cro-Magnon cave in France (Cro-Magnons)
Hunted
Complex patterns of social organization
Sophisticated language
tools

25. How did Homo sapiens occupy the entire globe?
Multi-Regional Hypothesis
Archaic form of humans left Africa 1-2 mya
Modern humans evolved from them independently and simultaneously in pockets of Africa, Europe and Asia
Out of Africa Hypothesis
Modern humans evolved in Africa and then left in several waves of migration
Replacing any earlier species

26. Dr. Spencer Wells
Found genetic evidence, based on thousands of DNA samples taken across the world, that shows that all humans alive today have descended from a single man who lived in Africa some 60,000 years ago
Y-Adam
“We are all Africans under our skin”

27. Y Chromosome Develop genetic markers
As inherited, they are passed down through generations, forming a complex story that can be traced backwards in time
Each son has inherited the marker
Find the point at which it first occurred…most recent common ancestor

28. Exodus began 60,000 - 50,000 years ago