Concept explainers
To describe: The ecological and environmental factors have the greatest potential to affect the evolutionary future of species like chimpanzee, gorilla, howler monkey, tarsier, ring-tailed lemur, or one of the many other nonhuman primate species.
Introduction: The primates are the best one to classify as the order of mammals. They are defined on the basis of various evolutionary trends as they invest as a great time with their young ones and they have a highly flexible diet. They are evolved from the ancestor lived in the trees of the tropical forest.
To describe: The types of adaptation might be most beneficial in response to these selective pressures.
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Chapter 6 Solutions
Our Origins: Discovering Physical Anthropology (Fourth Edition)
- Jonathan Losos and colleagues conducted experiments on small, hurricane-swept islands as “natural laboratories.” Which of the following statements is true? The legs of the anoles placed on the islands became shorter, and their offspring inherited shorter legs. Experiments on the small islands show evidence for adaptation by natural selection but not for evolution. Natural selection can lead to rapid changes. The average leg length of lizard populations decreased within a few generations. Islands scrubbed by hurricanes allow researchers to introduce new lizard populations and observe their evolution. There are many small islands with similar environments, meaning that researchers can repeat their experiments and observations in several locations.arrow_forwardA skeptic of evolution asks the following question – “If humans evolved from monkeys, why are there still monkeys?” Use your understanding of primate evolution to explain to this individual why their view of primate evolution is skewed. Reference examples.arrow_forwardOf the following, which one is an example of an evolutionary explanation (as opposed to a functional explanation)?A. People evolved a fear of snakes because many snakes are dangerous.B. Humans have a (tiny) tailbone because our ancient monkey-like ancestors had a tail.C. People evolved an ability to recognize faces because that ability is essential for cooperative social behaviors.D. People evolved a tendency to form long-term male–female bonds because human infants benefit from the help of two parents during their long period of dependence.arrow_forward
- The images below exhibit Y-5 molars. The left comes from a chimpanzee and the other is a zoomed-in image of Y-5 molars in a human. Why do these primates share the trait for Y-5 molars? Mark the best answer. Group of answer choices Unclear, cannot determine from the information given. Both inherited this trait from their common ancestor, which also had Y-5 molars. Convergent evolution, since both separately evolved Y-5 molars to adapt to dietary pressures. Random mutations, since having Y-5 molars is abnormal in these species of primate.arrow_forward“Convergent evolution” refers to the fact that two different kinds of organisms have converged on… features that are similar because they are inherited from a shared ancestor … a similar area with a particular environment that is distinct from where they came from … any features that are the result of selection for similar habitats (e.g., aquatic or burrowing). … features that are similar, but not inherited from a shared ancestorarrow_forwardWhich of the following animals may have been the second pet domesticated by humans, in Egypt or in Turkey (about 10,000 BCE), and probably helped to keep rodents away from cereal crops like wheat? the domesticated dog (Canis familiaris) the gray wolf (Canis lupus) the domesticated cat (Felis catus) the coyote (Canis latrans) the Norwegian rat (Rattus norvegicus) The above domesticated animal is thought to have evolved from which of the following species? the African wildcat the house sparrow the gray wolf the mouse the ratarrow_forward
- Explain the difference between generalized and specialized characteristics. What are examples of each in terms of the adaptive potential? Define the term “adaptive radiation” and explain why it is important to the principle of evolution. Why was adaptive radiation especially important to mammals’ eventual rapid evolutionary success and diversification? What are some of the different groups of mammals?arrow_forwardDNA sequences in many human genes are very similar to the sequences of corresponding genes in chimpanzees. Which of the following statements is the explanation for this result? Group of answer choices Convergent evolution led to the DNA similarities. Humans and chimpanzees share a relatively recent common ancestor. Humans evolved from chimpanzees. Chimpanzees evolved from humans.arrow_forwardCentral African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) and bonobos (Pan paniscus) are two different species of chimpanzees that live in sub-Saharan Africa. The map indicates the regions where central African chimpanzees and bonobos can be found. A scientist claims that central African chimpanzees and bonobos were once a single ancestral population before evolving into two separate species. Which of the following characteristics of the region could help to explain how a single ancestral population evolved into two separate species of chimpanzees?arrow_forward
- Humans in the 21st century use their thumbs extensively to operate touchscreens on cellphones. Imagine a scenario, where the human population evolves to have more dexterous thumbs over the next 300 years. Which of the following is a Lamarckian explanation for this evolutionary change (and, therefore, would an incorrect evolutionary mechanism?) humans that develop more dexterity in their thumb over their lifetime due to frequent use of cellphones pass that ability to their children humans that were born with a mutation for more dexterous thumbs have more children thumb dexterity is a dominant traitarrow_forwardTarsiers are one of the small species of primates generally found in tropical islands like Bohol, Philippines. Gibbons are small apes usually found in the forests of Southeast Asian regions. Chimpanzees are considered to be the highest form of "thinking organisms" on Earth. The theory of evolution asserts that these species evolved from a related ancestor. By observing the given figure. How will you support or reject the said claim?arrow_forwardEvolutionary biologists often say that evolution “selects for outcomes” not for the particular genetic changes that lead to that adaptive outcome. Given that perspective, is it surprising that different gene mutations might be involved in the evolution of the same trait (such as light skin or adaptation to living in high mountains)? Why or why not?arrow_forward
- Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781305389892Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillanPublisher:Cengage Learning