Midterm 1 - Primate Behaviour and Taxonomy Flashcards
What are the four main reasons why we study primates in anthropology
- Primates are our closest living relatives
- Sociality - social capital
- understanding early human behaviour
- conservation - 6th mass extinction event? study the indicator species
What are the two different approaches to studying early human behaviour through primates.
- Anthropocentric approach - includes the referential model
2. behavioural ecology - includes the strategic model
Describe the steps of behavioural ecology in the field when studying living primates
- ecological pressures
- key strategy of females - feeding and environment
- Distribution and relationships of females
- key strategy of males
- do male strategies change the optimal strategies of females?
- social system
what is the difference between generalized vs derived traits
- generalized - more closely resembling the common ancestor of the group of ancestral traits - pentadactyly
- Derived - specialized traits that are not shared with the last common ancestor- bipedalism
what is the difference between homology and homoplasy?
Homology - a trait inherited from the last common ancestor
homoplasy - a trait found in 2 or more species that have evolved independently in each species - suspensory locomotion
define and contrast parallel and convergent evolution.
- parallel - two closely related species that didn’t exhibit the trait, may end up having the trait if they face similar ecological pressures
- convergent - two distantly relates species, converge on a similar solution to the same ecological pressures
what are the four primate patterns that are distinct to primates
- grasping hands and feet
- visual systems - stereoscopic vision
- large complex brains
- skeletal and dental features
what are two facts about stereoscopic vision?
- accurate depth perception
2. found in most predatory animals
What is the dental formula for ancestral mammals, primitive primates, and later primates (including humans)
- 3.1.4.3 = 44 teeth
- 2.1.3.3 = 36 teeth
- 2.1.2.3 = 32 teeth
what is asymmetrical bimanuality?
Being able to use both hands to do different things. using tools for example.
What are the two parts of the brain used for tool use and dexterity?
- cerebellum
2. motor cortex
What is most important part of the brain used for planning?
Neocortex
What is the relationship between the amygdala and social relationships?
the more complex a persons social network the larger the amygdala
What is the main polarizing difference between chimps and bonobos of the pan genus?
Chimps can be quite aggressive when it comes to feeding and territory. whereas bonobos are very empathetic and non-violent, and tend to replace aggression with seduction.
Which species of greater ape is said to have self-domesticated?
Pan Bonobos
What are the suffixes for superfamily, family, and subfamily?
- *oidea
- *idae
- *inae
strepsirrhines, encompass what 6 morphological traits?
- nocturnal eyes - tapetum lucidum
- wet nose - rhinarium
- independently mobile ears
- immobile upper lip - inexpressive faces
- grooming/toilet claw
- dental formula 2.1.3.3
What are strepsirrhines main mode of locomotion?
vertical clinging and leaping