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16.1 Primate Evolution
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2. 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

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

4. 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

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

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

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

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

9. Primate Evolution Anthropoids Monkeys New World Monkeys
Old World Monkeys

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

11. 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

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

13. 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

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

15. 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