Primate Diet Adaptations : Primates

Primates are one of the most interesting mammals on earth, not only because of their complex social structures, but because they hold so many similar characteristics to humans. Primates are often cited as our closest living relatives and on two separate occasions I observed four separate species of primates at the San Diego Zoo that can justify their use of their physical characteristics and behaviors that may be similar as well as different to the other primates and ours.

Within this essay, we will study more in depth the behavioral as well as physical traits of two primates at a zoo from their interaction with their peers to their place in the group. This observation would enable us to further understand the possible existing correlation between humans and primates. First, I studied a female chimpanzee with her baby, and then, a dominant male gorilla, in San Francisco Zoo at about noon, on May 23, 2015, for an hour each. Even though they share some similarities such as having a large brain, living for a long time, and being bored in their enclosure, they are still different; when gorillas are the largest, chimpanzees are the smartest. In fact, chimps use tools to catch food, they would not be able to reach

The macaque does not have a prehensile tail which allows for handling objects. Instead they have a smaller tail referred to as a stump. Their inability to use their tails is compensated by the fact that the macaque’s fingers and thumbs share a level of dexterity that is only rivalled by humans. This skill is developed by mothers at a young age; appendix 2 shows an image of a young macaque making and carrying snowballs to practice using their opposable thumbs. Hays (2009) found that macaques can survive in climates with temperatures as low as -14oC. This is due to the difference in the texture and thickness of their fur. They are covered in a thick layer of soft fur onto which lies a layer of short, dense, courser hair. It is the thick layer which provides the heat to enable the macaque survive in such subtropical climates. The macaques live further north than any other primate excluding humans, something which has proved a barrier to survival of numerous other species throughout history. Hays (2009) describes how this is possible through a case seen in northern Honshu, where macaques bath in volcanic springs where the temperature had been previously moderated and used by humans. (Appendix 3)

During the middle to late Eocene and into the Oligocene epoch several other members of the equids, with distinct evolutionary changes, existed including the Orohippus, Epihippus, Mesohippus, and Miohippus. The Orohippus developed from the Hyracotherium and shared many of the same traits. One major change was that the first and second toes disappeared. Another significant change occurred in the teeth. The last premolar changed to become like a grinding molar. Also the crests were more defined showing that the Orohippus’s diet had changed to a tougher plant material. During the middle Eocene a descendant of Orohippus appeared. The Epihippus still resembled a dog-like animal. It had four padded toes on the front leg, and three on the back leg. However, the teeth changed more drastically with two of the premolars changing to grinding molars. Now there were five grinding cheek teeth with low crowns. As

The Fossa is the largest carnivore and top predator native to Madagascar. Fossas feed on lemurs and almost any other creature it can find. These creatures have a similar appearances and behaviors as animals in the feline family. Fossas have retractable claws and catlike teeth to help it capture its food when stalking in the trees or on the ground, weather it be day or night.

Prosimians are those primates that evolved before the anthropoids. The first prosimian appears in the fossil record about 55 million years ago. Before the appearance of anthropoids, prosimians were quite prevalent. Their fossils have been discovered in all corners of the world, including Europe, Asia, Egypt and even in the northwestern United States. Madagascar is the world’s fifth largest island located off the east coast of Africa. While Madagascar broke away from Africa, more than 120 million years ago, it 's puzzling to scientists that lemurs evolved only 55 million years ago. Madagascar is world-famous for its lemurs, primates that look something like a cat crossed with a squirrel and a dog. These animals are unique to the island and display a range of interesting. One of the theories of how lemurs got to Madagascar is that they rafted there on clumps of vegetation. Once monkeys and apes appeared, daytime active prosimians were out competed and disappeared. Only nighttime active prosimians occur outside of Madagascar because there are no nocturnal monkeys or apes in those regions, except for the night monkey in South America.

The second grade of primates evolved about 53 million years ago, in Eocene epoch. There are five tarsier species that all live in the islands of Southeast Asia, where they inhabit from tropical forest to backyard gardens (Jurmain, et al, 2011). They are considered to be closely related to lemurs and lorises (prosimian family) for the several traits that they share with Grade I primates while having some anthropoid features as well. However, tarsiers have distinctive characteristics that isolate them from other primates. They are categorized as the smallest creatures among the primate species and they are well known for their enormous eyes which is as large as its brain. They are normally nocturnal insectivores but sometimes carnivorous. They catch insects by jumping at them and as they jump from tree to tree, they even hunt for birds while in motion.

Scientists have been studying the diets of primates, our closest relatives, to better understand our dietary

During my research of Orangutans and Mandrills I observed them in captivity at the San Diego Zoo. My observations included a 20 minute observation of each primate as it cohabitated with other Primates and with other members of its own species. My findings will support the research of Orangutans and Mandrills through firsthand observations.

A recent discovery of four fossil primate teeth from the species Afrasia djijidae of the late middle Eocene Pondaung Formation of Myanmar has stirred up the debate of our primate origins. This new finding suggests that members of this clade originated in Asia then dispersed to Africa sometime during the middle Eocene, shortly before their first appearance in the African fossil record. Afrasia Djijdae is morphologically similar to Afrotarsius (North African Anthropoid). Afroasia’s dentition is very similar yet more primitive to Afrotarsius. After these phylogenetic analysis the two anthropoids have been deemed

Kavanagh, M. & Morris, D. (1983). Complete guide to monkeys, apes and other primates. London: Viking Press.

The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum was a period of time around the Paleocene-Eocene boundary during which the Earth experienced a significant rise in temperature. As we discussed in class January 27-February 3, the PETM period conveniently coincides with primate evolution and dispersal worldwide. This period of thermal increase is important to primate evolution because this rise in temperature worldwide created an ideal, survivable environment for primates globally. This rise in temperature encouraged primates to expand their territories into areas not previously inhabitable, such as the Arctic Circle. Additionally, I believe that the PETM may have encouraged primates to evolve into broader adaptive radii in order to exploit more tropical food sources and landscapes. In general, it is acknowledged that the PETM allowed primates to become more pervasive worldwide.

The beauty of the Silky Sifaka or pure white lemurs is astonishing and it is a shame that we need to protect so intensively creatures of this value. They are critically endangered and are only found on the island of Madagascar.

on ground or climbing in trees. Most lemurs only like climbing in trees. The ring-tailed

Papio hamadryas and Theropithecus gelada are commonly referred to as hamadryas baboons and gelada baboons. These two species are both classified as Old World monkeys, meaning they share a common ancestor dating back 20 million years ago in Africa. Having a common lineage usually indicate close relatedness in terms of phylogeny. This is seen with hamadryas and geladas, they fall under the same order of classification, which is Primates, down to the same subfamily, known as cercopithecidae. Although having a common lineage allows them to share certain characteristics and behaviors, these two species of baboons still encompass divergent qualities.