Chapter 4: The Primates

Learning Objectives- After reading this chapter and coming to class you should be able to: 
1.	Be able to discuss how the human relationship to other primates is represented in zoological taxonomy, as well as the role of analogies and homologies in determining this relationship
2.	Consider the scope and subject matter of primatology and its specific relationship to the discipline of anthropology
3.	Understand what prosimians are, where they live, and how they are related to other primates
4.	Know the differences between New World and Old World monkeys
5.	Be able to identify and distinguish among the apes
6.	Understand the threats facing endangered primates around the world
7.	Know the primary periods and epochs of the Cenozoic era. Consider why the fossil record does not provide a representative sample of extinct primates
8.	Be able to identify and distinguish among the Early Cenozoic primates and the Oligocene anthropoids

Terms-  You should understand these terms and be ready to identify them: 
analogies Similarities arising as a result of similar selective forces; traits produced by convergent evolution.
anthropoids One of the two suborders of primates which includes monkeys, apes, and humans.
arboreal Tree-dwelling.
behavioral ecology Study of the evolutionary basis of social behavior.
bipedal Upright two-legged locomotion, the key feature distinguishing early hominins from the apes.
brachiation Under-the-branch swinging; characteristic of gibbons, siamangs, and some New World monkeys.
convergent evolution Independent operation of similar selective forces; the process by which analogies are produced.
gibbons The smallest apes, natives of Asia; they are highly arboreal.
hominoids Members of the superfamily including humans and all the apes.
homologies Traits that organisms have jointly inherited from a common ancestor.
m.y.a Million years ago.
opposable A digit that can be moved freely and independently, such as the human thumb and those of many primates.  (This definition is different than the one in your text)
prehensile Capable of grasping, such as a tail or hand with such ability. (This word is not in your text.)
primatology The study of fossil and living apes, monkeys, and prosimians, including their behavior and social life.
prosimians The primate suborder that includes lemurs, lorises, and tarsiers.
sexual dimorphism Marked differences in male and female biology besides the contrasts in breasts and genitals.
taxonomy Classification scheme; assignment to categories (taxa; singular, taxon).
terrestrial Ground-dwelling; baboons, macaques, and humans are terrestrial primates; gorillas spend most of their time on the ground.