Overview
This lecture covers the biological anthropology subfield, focusing on primate characteristics, taxonomy, behavior, and their relevance to human evolution and conservation.
Biological Anthropology and Primates
- Biological anthropology studies human evolution through the lens of primate biology and behavior.
- Humans share a common ancestor with other primates but did not descend from monkeys.
- Observing non-human primates helps us infer evolutionary processes and adaptations.
Importance of Studying Primates
- Studying primates clarifies human evolutionary traits (e.g., language, bipedalism) and why they evolved in humans.
- Comparison of instinctive behaviors in non-human primates and learned behaviors in humans provides evolutionary insight.
- Primate behavior models early human social structures and cultural traits, including marriage rules and tool use.
Primate Characteristics and Behavior
- Primates have prehensile (grasping) hands/feet (except humans with limited grasping feet).
- Most have nails, not claws, and forward-facing eyes for stereoscopic (3D) vision.
- All primates possess relatively large brains for their body size, facilitating complex social behavior.
- Primates usually have single offspring with prolonged infant dependency due to learning needs.
- Most are diurnal (active during the day), social, and omnivorous (mixed diet).
- Modes of locomotion include brachiation, quadrupedalism, knuckle walking, climbing, and only habitual bipedalism in humans.
Primate Taxonomy
- Primates are split into Strepsirrhini (less relevant to humans) and Haplorhini (includes humans).
- Haplorhini divides into Platyrrhini (New World monkeys) and Catarrhini (Old World monkeys and apes).
- Platyrrhini may have reached the Americas via rafting from Africa.
- Catarrhini further split into Cercopithecoidea (Old World monkeys) and Hominoidea (apes and humans).
- Humans are the only remaining species in the Homo family, but multiple human species existed historically.
Primatology Research Areas
- Primatologists study communication (closed in non-human primates; open in humans), social structure, aggression, and affiliative behaviors.
- Tool use in primates distinguishes between echoacts (natural, unmodified tools) and artifacts (modified tools).
- Social dominance in primates can be male-led, female-led, or egalitarian, mostly by instinct.
Conservation and Modern Issues
- Many primate species face threats from habitat destruction, pet trade, and being considered pests.
- Conservation efforts focus on maintaining environments and social groupings critical for primate well-being.
- Understanding primate social needs helps inform ethical zoo practices and rehabilitation.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Biological Anthropology — study of human evolution and biology within anthropology.
- Primate — order of mammals including humans, monkeys, and apes, characterized by grasping extremities and large brains.
- Prehensile — adapted for grasping or holding.
- Stereoscopic Vision — three-dimensional vision from forward-facing eyes.
- Haplorhini — primate suborder including tarsiers, monkeys, apes, and humans.
- Platyrrhini & Catarrhini — infraorders within Haplorhini: New World and Old World monkeys/apes.
- Echoact — use of an unmodified object as a tool.
- Artifact — a tool intentionally modified for a specific purpose.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review primate taxonomy charts, especially page 36 in the textbook.
- Study distinguishing features of major primate groups.
- Prepare for upcoming chapters on human evolution and cultural anthropology.