Terms Flashcards
(72 cards)
torper
slows metabolism down when resources scarce
Phylogenic Tree
a visual “tree” (cladogram) rep. of phylogeny; reflects their evolutionary history
Primitive Trait (does not mean inferior)
the original condition of a trait; trait that has not changed from an ancestral state (indicate last common ancestor)- the original condition of a trait, eg: pentadactyly (five fingers- retained by most primates)
Rhinarium
moist naked area surrounding the nostrils in most mammals including strepsirrhini primates; emphasis on sense of smell; absent in tarsiers, monkeys, apes and humans
Derived Trait
a new trait or a trait that has changed from an ancestral state ( the last common ancestor) - **key to understanding evolutionary change in primates and other animals, eg: horses have retained only one digit
Family
indicated by -ae ending
Primates
The biological order that includes humans, monkeys, apes, and prosimians
New world
A term referring to north, central, and south america. By comparison, the old world refers to Europe, Africa, and Asia. Distinction is an ethnocentric reflection of the european origin of our modern sciences
Pentadactylism
Five fingers and toes characteristic, retained by most primates as Primitive Trait
Prehensile
Ability to physically grasp something ie tails
Power grip
Strong grip formed by partial flexion of the fingers and palm with counter force applied by the thumb
Precision grip
Grip formed by the partial flexion of the fingers and the palm with counter force applied by the thumb
Comparative Model
comparing many primate species to understand primate evolution and how natural selection shapes primate biology and behavior
Conceptual Models
using traits and patterns seen in nonhuman primates and other animals to understanding human biology and evolution
Referential Models
using patterns seen in specific nonhuman primates to understand human behavior, biology and evolution
Primate Evolution
primates emerged from nocturnal, tree shrew-like animals during the late Cretaceous; radiated and adapting to numerous environments; use the comparative model, w/ primitive and derived traits to study living primates to better understand human evolutionary, behavioral and biological traits
Primate Biology
Life History Consequences; bigger mammals mature later live longer-Humans have longer maturation time, longer reproductive span (menopause), and fewer offspring
Primate Ecology
many primitive traits are adaptations to their environment ~ their ecology; includes available food, predators, and other primate groups
Primate sociality
primates live in social groups for protection from predators; shared information and access to food; physiological- for warmth, and grooming to reduce parasites
Classification
organizing items into categories using some kind of criteria
Taxonomy
a particular way of classifying. In biology the goal is to organize organisms based on similarities and differences that usually reflect Evolutionary Relationships
Clades
a group of organisms that evolved from a common ancestor and includes all its lineal descendants
Phylogeny
evolutionary history/relationships of a particular group of organisms
Derived Trait
a new trait or a trait that has changed from an ancestral state ( the last common ancestor) - **key to understanding evolutionary change in primates and other animals, eg: horses have retained only one digit
