Primate Evolution Knowledge Check
a.
Name, briefly describe, and contrast the three hypotheses of primate origins.
The main theories for why primates may have emerged are the arboreal hypotheses, the visual predation hypotheses,
and the angiosperm-primate co-evolution hypotheses. The arboreal hypothesis is the theory that primates adapted to
live arboreally, including grasping hands and feet, advanced vision, depth perception, and olfactory ability being
reduced, including developing shorter snouts. The visual predation hypothesis is the theory that primates adapted to
prey on insects and other small creatures. These adaptations include the ability to catch small prey with a highly
specialized visual apparatus and fine motor skills, including the ability to grasp with multiple digits. This angiosperm-
primate co-evolution hypothesis is the theory that all these adaptations were for finding and eating fruit from newly
emerging flowering plants called angiosperms. Grasping toes would help them cling to tree branches while they picked
and ate fruit with their dexterous hands while using newly acquired visual adaptations to see small objects better. The
more likely theory is that all three hypotheses have some validity in understanding the purposes of evolution in primate
species and their adaptability and versatility.
b.
Use the following table to describe the evolution of primates as a series of adaptive radiations from the
Eocene to the Pliocene.
Epoch
Date
Adaptive Radiation
Triggers of the adaptive radiation
Example Primate Genus
Paleocene
65 Million Years Ago
Mammals
Extinction of the dinosaurs
Plesiadapis
Eocene
55 Million Years Ago
True Primates
Adaptations for arboreality
Adapidae
Oligocene
34 Million Years Ago
Haplorrhines (Monkeys)
Adaptations for diurnality (active during
the day)
Aegyptopithecus
Miocene
22 Million Years Ago
Apes
Adaptations for increased body
size/suspensory behavior.
Proconsul
Pliocene
8 Million Years Ago
Hominids
Adaptations for bipedalism.
Australopithecus
