Deck 14: Primates Today

Question 1

Although we now have modern evidence of a "real rafting event," whether the group can sustain its colonization has not yet been established.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Today, about 3/4 of the 300 species of primates are considered "endangered" by the World Wildlife League.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Describe modern Old and New World monkeys relative to important ancestral and newly derived traits: teeth, locomotion, brain size.

Answer 3

Old World monkeys, which are native to Africa and Asia, and New World monkeys, which are native to Central and South America, share important ancestral traits such as having a dental formula of 2.1.2.3, meaning they have two incisors, one canine, two premolars, and three molars on each side of their upper and lower jaws. This dental formula is a shared ancestral trait that distinguishes them from other primate groups.

In terms of locomotion, both Old World and New World monkeys are primarily arboreal, meaning they spend most of their time in trees. They have adaptations such as grasping hands and feet, and a tail that can be used for balance, which are important ancestral traits for navigating their arboreal habitats.

When it comes to brain size, both Old World and New World monkeys have relatively large brains compared to other non-human primates. This is an important ancestral trait that has contributed to their advanced cognitive abilities and complex social behaviors.

However, there are also important newly derived traits that distinguish Old World and New World monkeys. For example, Old World monkeys have bilophodont molars, which are molars with four cusps arranged in two parallel ridges, while New World monkeys have more primitive molar patterns with three cusps. This is a newly derived trait that sets them apart in terms of dental morphology.

In terms of locomotion, Old World monkeys are known for their specialized adaptations for terrestrial quadrupedalism, while New World monkeys have a prehensile tail that allows them to be more agile in their arboreal habitats. These are newly derived traits that have allowed each group to thrive in their respective environments.

In conclusion, both Old World and New World monkeys share important ancestral traits such as dental formula, arboreal locomotion, and large brain size, but they also have important newly derived traits that distinguish them from each other in terms of dental morphology and locomotor adaptations.

Question 4

Describe the three-tiered social/political system of the hamadryas baboons.

Question 5

Differentiate between the two dental patterns in fossil and modern monkeys and apes. What would identify a particular tooth?

Question 6

Describe gorilla social organization: who "moves," what is the structure of the main social unit, and what ecological reasons promote that kind of unit?

Question 7

Discuss chimpanzee language acquisition: what is it and what has it to do with human studies?

Question 8

One theme of this chapter is to show how anthropologists can generate hypotheses based on modern primate data to use to test against evolving hominids. Discuss three of these applications of primate data to humans.

Question 9

Discuss chimpanzee "intelligence" relative to learning theory: self recognition, imitation, and teaching. Do chimpanzees learn, recognize, imitate, and teach in the same way humans do?