Lecture Notes: Lab 10 - Living Primates

Introduction

• Focus on questions and exercises related to living primates.
• Emphasis on distinguishing characteristics of primates from other mammals.
• Lab 10 consists of five exercises with one exercise worth eight points.

Key Points on Primates

Distinguishing Mammals from Primates

• Primates are mammals but have specific distinguishing traits:
  • Rotating shoulder joint.
  • Generalized body plan/skeletal structure.
  • Stereoscopic vision.
  • Larger brains than other mammals.
  • Dietary plasticity.
  • Enhanced sense of touch due to dermal ridges.

Suborders of Primates

• Two suborders:
  • Simeon and Anthrop (old names).
  • Stepsirhini and Haplorhini (new names).
• Change in names due to reclassification in the 1970s after studying tarsiers.
  • Tarsiers have more characteristics in line with Haplorhini.

Characteristics of Stepsirhini (Primates)

• Primitive species like lemurs of Madagascar and lorises.
• Features:
  • Post-orbital bar (not fully enclosed eye socket).
  • Tooth comb.
  • Large eyes, indicating nocturnality.
  • Specialized claw or grooming claw on the foot.

Characteristics of Haplorhini (Primates)

• Includes monkeys, apes, and humans.
• Features:
  • Fully enclosed or encased eye sockets.
  • Diurnal (active during the day) indicated by smaller eyes.
  • Larger brains and bodies than Stepsirhini.
  • More sexually dimorphic.

Distinguishing New World and Old World Monkeys

• New World Monkeys:
  • Some have prehensile tails.
• Old World Monkeys and Apes:
  • Apes do not have tails.
• Distinctions important for identifying characteristics of apes in lab exercises.

Lab Exercise 5

• Focus on distinguishing between old monkeys and apes.
• Key identifier: Apes do not have tails.
• Use image library to identify characteristics.

Upcoming Work

• Lab 11 will focus on primate sociality.
• No set date for Lab 11, but can start working if ahead.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to enjoy the weekend.
• Reminder to write down any questions for Thursday's session.