Mammals Part II Flashcards
(44 cards)
Characteristics of Primates
arboreal ancestor
Characteristics of Primates
grasping limbs with opposable thumbs
Characteristics of Primates
foward facing eyes
Characteristics of Primates
big cerebrum
what are the two major groups of primates?
prosimians and anthropoids
what percent of primate species are in danger of extinction?
48%
Characteristics of prosimians
arboreal and nocturnal
examples of prosimians
lemurs and lorises
anthropoids: tarsier
- not on the phlyogenetic tree
tarsier is the only entirely _____ primate
carnivourous
Difference between old world monkeys and new world monkeys
most new world monkeys have a prehensile tail - used to grasp/hold objects
Difference between old world monkeys and new world monkeys
new world monkeys have flat noses and tend to be arboreal
characteristics of gibbons, orangutans, and african apes
lack tails
gibbons
smaller than other apes
- arboreal
Orangutangs
too large to cross from tree to tree by branches - they have to walk
what is the sole hominid to inhabit the earth in the last 30,000 years?
homo sapiens
how has the skull changed over time?
the face has gotten narrower
australopithecus are all
extinct
Homo habilis
“handy/skillful”
what homo species is believed to be the first hominid to leave africa?
homo erectus
homo neanderthalensis are
short, stalky but powerfully built
why did humans evolve larger brains?
- main hypothesis: early Homos used symbolic spoken language and tools extensively - triggering selection for larger brains
- evidence: larger ares - relative to other early hominids - for language in brain
homo sapiens and neanderthals…
interbred :O
what caused the extinction of homo floreinsis
volcanic eruption