Question 1

Strepsirrhini include
A) lemurs and lorises.
B) lemurs, lorises, and tarsiers.
C) lorises and tarsiers.
D) tarsiers and New World monkeys.

Accepted Answer

Strepsirrhini is a suborder of primates that includes lemurs and lorises, but not tarsiers. Tarsiers belong to the suborder Haplorhini.

Question 2

Tarsiers are included with anthropoids in the primate suborder Haplorhini because
A) their upper lips are all attached to their gums by a web of skin.
B) all of them have moist noses.
C) the placenta of tarsiers is similar to the placenta of anthropoids.
D) they are cuter than other species.

Accepted Answer

Tarsiers are included with anthropoids in the suborder Haplorhini because they share a similar type of placenta, which is a key characteristic of this group.

Question 3

Among gorillas,
A) only males transfer out of the group in which they were born.
B) only females transfer out of the group in which they were born.
C) both females and males transfer out of the group in which they were born.
D) transfer out of the group in which they were born is random for both sexes.

Accepted Answer

Both female and male gorillas may transfer out of their natal group to avoid inbreeding and to find new mating opportunities.

Question 4

Which of the following primate groups uses sexual behavior to manipulate relationships rather than to increase reproductive rates?
A) Gibbons
B) Gorillas
C) Bonobos
D) Chimpanzees

Accepted Answer

Bonobos are known for using sexual behavior as a social tool to manage relationships, reduce tension, and form alliances, rather than primarily for reproduction.

Question 5

Which of the following features is found in modern lemurs, but NOT in their fossil ancestors?
A) Four premolars
B) A tooth comb
C) Generalized incisors and canines
D) Forward-facing eyes

Accepted Answer

Modern lemurs have a tooth comb, a specialized dental structure used for grooming, which is not found in their fossil ancestors.

Question 6

The Fayum Depression in Egypt is a
A) key site for the most complete fossils of plesiadapiforms dating from the Paleocene.
B) key site for fossils showing the appearance of the first anthropoids during the Miocene.
C) rich source of prosimian fossils dating from the Oligocene.
D) rich source of fossil evidence of anthropoidean evolution in the Oligocene.

Accepted Answer

The Fayum Depression is known for its rich fossil deposits from the Oligocene epoch, particularly for providing significant evidence of early anthropoid evolution.

Question 7

The largest of the Oligocene fossil anthropoids is called
A) Plesiadapis
B) Prosimius
C) Aegyptopithecus zeuxis
D) Proconsul

Accepted Answer

Aegyptopithecus zeuxis is considered the largest of the Oligocene fossil anthropoids, known for its significant size compared to other primates of that era.

Question 8

Bilophodont molars are now believed to be
A) found among all apes and human beings.
B) primitive for all Old World anthropoids.
C) later developments among Old World monkeys.
D) uniquely derived traits of New World monkeys.

Accepted Answer

Bilophodont molars are a characteristic dental pattern found in Old World monkeys, indicating they are a later development among this group rather than a primitive trait for all Old World anthropoids or a trait of New World monkeys.

Question 9

Macaques have the smallest number of species in general of all New World monkeys and have the smallest range of all New World monkeys.

Accepted Answer

Macaques are Old World monkeys, not New World monkeys.

Question 10

Many leading taxonomists have grouped chimpanzees and humans into the same family, Hominidae, because fossil evidence shows that chimpanzees and humans shared a common ancestor 2 million years ago.

Accepted Answer

Chimpanzees and humans are grouped into the same family, Hominidae, but they shared a common ancestor approximately 5 to 7 million years ago, not 2 million years ago.

Question 11

Adult male gorillas are much larger than females and treat immature gorillas with tolerance.

Accepted Answer

Adult male gorillas, known as silverbacks, are significantly larger than females and often exhibit protective and tolerant behavior towards immature gorillas within their group.

Question 12

Based on current ethnoprimatological research, humans and other primates have long coexisted successfully in many global settings.

Accepted Answer

Ethnoprimatology studies the interactions between humans and non-human primates, showing that they have coexisted in various environments, adapting to shared spaces and resources.

Question 13

Cladists define a species as a group of organisms sharing a set of unique, derived features that sets them apart form all other such groups. This way of defining species exemplifies
A) the biological species concept.
B) the phylogenetic species concept.
C) the phenetic fossil species concept.
D) the Aristotelian species concept.

Accepted Answer

The phylogenetic species concept defines a species based on shared derived characteristics, which aligns with the cladistic approach of identifying unique, derived features.

Question 14

Wings on birds and bats are an example of
A) homoplasy.
B) homology.
C) anagenesis.
D) cladogenesis.

Accepted Answer

Wings on birds and bats are an example of homoplasy, which refers to traits that are similar due to convergent evolution, not because of a common ancestor.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about New World monkeys is correct?
A) New World monkeys are the only clade of anthropoids found on the island of Madagascar.
B) New World monkeys and New World Apes are the only primate clades found in South America.
C) New World monkeys do not have prehensile tails.
D) New World monkeys are the only clade of anthropoids found in Central and South America.

Accepted Answer

New World monkeys are indeed the only clade of anthropoids found in Central and South America. They are distinct from Old World monkeys and apes, which are found in Africa and Asia.

Question 16

Taxonomists have a hard time sorting out the phylogenetic connections among colobines in Africa and Asia because
A) there are very few species to compare.
B) they have a very incomplete fossil record.
C) their genetic data has been very hard to collect.
D) it appears that much hybridization has occurred among them in the past.

Accepted Answer

Hybridization can obscure phylogenetic relationships by introducing genetic material from multiple lineages, making it difficult to determine the true evolutionary history of a group.

Question 17

According to the textbook, which of the following attributes is the hallmark of primate adaptations?
A) Possession of a tail
B) Possession of grasping hands
C) Stereoscopic vision
D) Flexibility

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the textbook, which of the...

Question 18

Based on current ethnoprimatological research, which primate groups are least threatened by human activities?
A) Chimpanzees and gorillas
B) Macaques and baboons
C) Chimpanzees and baboons
D) All primate groups are equally threatened by human activities; none seem able to coexist with humans or survive in areas disturbed by human settlement.

Accepted Answer

Macaques and baboons are more adaptable and often thrive in human-altered environments compared to other primates like chimpanzees and gorillas.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT an ancestral characteristic of primates?
A) A collar bone
B) Five digits on hands and feet
C) Plantigrade locomotion
D) Stereoscopic vision

Accepted Answer

Stereoscopic vision is a derived characteristic in primates, not an ancestral one. Ancestral traits are those shared with common ancestors, while derived traits have evolved more recently.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT an evolutionary trend in the primate order?
A) Reduction in the number of digits on hands and feet
B) Reduction of the projection of the face
C) Reduction in the number of teeth
D) Increase in brain size, relative to body size

Accepted Answer

Primates have not generally evolved a reduction in the number of digits on their hands and feet; instead, they have retained five digits, which is a primitive trait.

Quiz 3: What Can the Study of Primates Tell Us About Human Beings

Strepsirrhini include

Tarsiers are included with anthropoids in the primate suborder Haplorhini because

Among gorillas,

Which of the following primate groups uses sexual behavior to manipulate relationships rather than to increase reproductive rates?

Which of the following features is found in modern lemurs, but NOT in their fossil ancestors?

The Fayum Depression in Egypt is a

The largest of the Oligocene fossil anthropoids is called

Bilophodont molars are now believed to be

Macaques have the smallest number of species in general of all New World monkeys and have the smallest range of all New World monkeys.

Many leading taxonomists have grouped chimpanzees and humans into the same family, Hominidae, because fossil evidence shows that chimpanzees and humans shared a common ancestor 2 million years ago.

Adult male gorillas are much larger than females and treat immature gorillas with tolerance.

Based on current ethnoprimatological research, humans and other primates have long coexisted successfully in many global settings.

Cladists define a species as a group of organisms sharing a set of unique, derived features that sets them apart form all other such groups. This way of defining species exemplifies

Wings on birds and bats are an example of

Which of the following statements about New World monkeys is correct?

Taxonomists have a hard time sorting out the phylogenetic connections among colobines in Africa and Asia because

According to the textbook, which of the following attributes is the hallmark of primate adaptations?

Based on current ethnoprimatological research, which primate groups are least threatened by human activities?

Which of the following is NOT an ancestral characteristic of primates?

Which of the following is NOT an evolutionary trend in the primate order?