Primate practice for quiz.
1. Give an example of an analogous similarity shared by two species. Why do they share it?
Functional adaptation to a similar environment
2. Give an example of a homologous similarity shared by two species. Why do they share it?
Inheritance from a common ancestor
3. Which is most useful for biological classification? Why?
Homology, because it indicates inheritance of traits from a common ancestor.
4. What is an ancestral homology? Give an example of an ancestral homology shared by primates.
A trait that is inherited from an ancestor prior to the last shared common ancestor of the
groups you are trying to classify.
Mammary glands, fur, and heterodont dentition, four limbs = an ancestral homology
5. What is a derived homology? Give an example of a derived homology shared by primates.
A trait that is modified from the ancestral condition, and shared by the species that you
are trying to classify because it was inherited from their most recent common ancestor:
Manipulative, prehensile hands and feet; Nails instead of claws,
6. Which of the two (ancestral and derived) is most useful for biological classification? Why?
Derived homology, because it indicates the evolutionary relationships of the species you are
trying to classify
7. a. What primate groups are included in the Strepsirhines?
Lemurs and lorises
b. List traits of skull that help to identify a Strepsirhine
• longer snout
• eyes somewhat to side
• post-orbital bar
• dental comb
• any of the above, combined with 2:1:3:3 over 2:1:3:3 dental formula
c. List traits seen in a photo that help to identify a Strepsirhine
• longer snout
• eyes somewhat to side
• rhinarium
• at least on claw on hind foot
• dental comb if observable
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8. a. What primate groups are included in the Haplorhines?
Tarsiers, New World Monkeys, Old World Monkeys, and Apes (including humans)
b. List traits of skull that help to identify a Haplorhine
• shorter snout
• forward facing eyes
• post-orbital partition
b. List traits seen in a photo that help to identify a Haplorhine
• shorter snout
• forward facing eyes
• lack of rhinarium
9. a. What primate groups are included in the Platyrrhini?
New World Monkeys
b. In what part of the world are they found?
"New World" includes South America, Central America, Southern Mexico
c. List traits that help to identify a a Platyrrhini skull.
In addition to those for the Haplorhine skull:
• 2:1:3:3 dental formula
d. List traits seen in a photo that help to identify a Platyrrhini?
In addition to those for the Haplorhine photo:
• wide nasal septum
• nostrils opening to the side
• in some, a prehensile tail
10. a. What primate groups are included in the Catarrhini?
Old World Monkeys and Apes
b. In what part of the world are they found?
"Old World" includes parts of Africa, and parts of Asia (including Japan)
c. List traits that help to identify a Catarrhini skull.
In addition to those for the Haplorhine skull:
• 2:1:2:3 dental formula
d. List traits seen in a photo that help to identify a Catarrhini?
In addition to those for the Haplorhine photo:
• narrow nasal septum
• nostrils opening downward
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11. You measure the appropriate fore and hind limb bones on three primates, and use those
measurements calculate to the Intermembral Index for each one.
A. The index for the first primate is very close to 1.0.
Relative length of fore and hind limbs: relatively equal in length
What form(s) of locomotion?
Quadrupedal
B. The index for the second primate is approximately 1.5.
Relative length of fore and hind limbs:
What form(s) of locomotion?
Forelimbs longer than hindlimbs
Brachiation
C. The index for the third primate is approximately .60.
Relative length of fore and hind limbs:
What form(s) of locomotion?
Forelimbs shorter than hindlimbs
Vertical Clinging and Leaping OR Bipedal
12. A. Circle the correct response(s). You see a primate that is a vertical clinger and leaper. It
might be a:
Lemur
Tarsier
Ape
Loris
Monkey
Human
B. Circle the correct response(s). You see a primate that is a quadruped. It might be a/an:
Lemur
Tarsier
Ape
Loris
Monkey
Human
C. Circle the correct response(s). You see a primate that is a brachiator. It might be a/an:
Lemur
Tarsier
Ape
Loris
Monkey
Human
D. Circle the correct response(s). You see a primate that is a biped. It might be a/an:
Lemur
Tarsier
Ape
Loris
Monkey
Human
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13. a. How can you recognize a nocturnal primate?
• Large eyes relative to skull size
b. Which primates are nocturnal?
• Some lemurs, all lorises, all tarsiers, one New World Monkey (Owl Monkey)
14. a. You find a monkey species that is habitually terrestrial. What kind of monkey? Location?
• Old World
• Asia or Africa
b. You find a monkey species with a prehensile tail. What kind of monkey? Location?
• New World
• South America, Central America, Southern Mexico
c. You find a primate species with no tail. What kind of primate?
• Ape (including humans)
d. You find a primate species with a dorsal scapula. What kind of primate?
• Ape (including humans)
15. Fill in dental formulas.
Primates
Dental Formula
Most Strepsirhines
2 : 1: 3 : 3
New World Monkeys: (Except Marmosets & Tamarins)
2 : 1: 3 : 3
New World Monkeys: Marmosets & Tamarins
2 : 1: 3 : 2
Old World Monkeys & Apes
2 : 1: 2 : 3
16. Primate Locations.
Primates
General Location
Lemurs
Madagascar
Lorises
Parts of Africa and Southern Asia
Tarsiers
Southeast Asia
New World Monkeys
Old World Monkeys
New World: Parts of South & Central
Amercia, and southern Mexico
Old World: Sub-Saharan Africa and
Southern Asia including Japan
Gibbon and Orangutans
Southeast Asia
Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and
Bonobos
Western and Central Africa
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