Physical Anthropology
Study Guide for Exam 2
PRIMATES
Reasons to study
Shared anatomical characteristics
Evolutionary trends
Ecology
Why primate ecology important
Key components: food & predation
Metabolic rates
Energy requirements
Distribution of food
Activity patterns
Home range
Territoriality
Resource defense
Defense against predation: alarm
calls/social groups
Mating Systems
Reproductive strategies; male and female
Multimale, multifemale groups
Single male, multifemale groups
Monogamy
Parental investment
Reproductive success
Dominance hierarchies
Social Groups
Sexual selection
Male mating strategies
Female mating strategies
Intrasexual selection
Intersexual selection
Sexual dimorphism
Sperm production/testicle size
Competition
Infanticide
Social Behavior
Social interactions
Altruistic behavior
Selfish behavior
Mutualistic behavior
Spiteful behavior
Increasing fitness
Inclusive fitness
Group selection
Individual selection
Kin selection
Transmission of rank from mothers to offspring
Grooming
Food sharing
Reciprocal altruism
Primate intelligence: why are primates smart?
Ecological knowledge
Social knowledge
POSSIBLE ESSAY QUESTIONS
Diet, extractive foraging, and social challenges have all been suggested as influencing the
evolution of cognitive abilities of primates. What is the rationale for each of these
models?
What evidence do we have that monkeys have a concept of kinship?
There are relatively few good examples of reciprocal altruism in nature. Why is
reciprocal altruism uncommon? Why would it be more common among primates than
other animals?
Why is the VARIANCE in male reproductive fitness greater than the variance for
females among mammals? What effect does this have on sexual selection?
Infanticide by male primates is generally limited to species that form one-male groups.
Why wouldn't males in multi-male groups benefit from infanticide? Why do males in
one-male groups benefit?
Territoriality is linked to group size, day range, and diet. Explain each correlation.
Territoriality reduces access of outside individuals to food, sleeping sites, mates, and
other resources. Why aren't ALL primates territorial?