humans.- The great apes have unique reproductive and parental care features, especially when
compared with most other mammals. There is a variety of social structure among the
great apes. - Gorillas, chimpanzees and humans share some common characteristics.
Review Questions
- What characteristics distinguish the biological order Primates?
- What theory might explain why human teeth and jaws are markedly smaller for our
size than those of other apes? - Opposable thumbs are a characteristic primate feature. List two ways in which non-
human primates might use opposable thumbs. - Various hybrid monkeys are produced in captivity when different species or subspecies
are housed together. In what situation in the wild would hybrids be produced? - Primates are thought to have developed several of their traits and habits initially while
living in trees. What primate features might be an advantage in an arboreal habitat? - Gorillas and chimpanzees live in family groups of around five to 10 individuals. What
are two possible strategies for feeding, when fruit is hard to find?
Further Reading / Supplemental Links
- Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition. Random House, New York, 1998.
- http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Animals
- http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Primates
- http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/mammal/eutheria/primates.html
- http://pslc.ws/macrog/paul/lemurs.htm
- http://www.wikipedia.org
Vocabulary
hybrid The offspring of different species, genera, varieties or breeds.
omnivorous Eating both plant and animal material.
pentadactyl Having five fingers or toes.
quadrupedal Four-footed
sexual dimorphism A condition in which the males and females of a species are different
in form and structure.