Question

a) The lemurs and lorises are considered the most primitive (i.e. least derived) of the primates. Explain this statement.

b) Identify the unique (among primates) feature of the tarsier′s vision.

c) Compare the geographic distributions of the New World and Old World monkeys

d) Pretend you are at the zoo and are observing a primate exhibit featuring monkeys. What traits could be used to determine whether the exhibit features a New World or Old World monkey species?

e) define sexual dimorphism and provide and example

f) For chimpanzees, describe the (A) physical attributes, (B) geographical range and (C) ecological adaptations of the common chimpanzee.

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Answer 1

b) Identify the unique (among primates) feature of the tarsier′s vision.

answer:

In comparison with his body size, the eyes of the tarsier are enormous. In volume, the capacity of the bony eye orbits, or eye sockets, is larger than that of the brain case, and also larger than its stomach. Their eye sockets have post-orbital closure rather than the postorbital bar of the prosimians. This feature keeps the eyeballs from being pressed against by the powerful temporal muscles to their sides. so no peripheral vision due to eyeball size

d) Pretend you are at the zoo and are observing a primate exhibit featuring monkeys. What traits could be used to determine whether the exhibit features a New World or Old World monkey species?

answer: One difference is a prehensile tail, that would be New World. Looking at the shape of the head can also distinguish.

e.  Define sexual dimorphism and provide and example

answer:

Sexual dimorphism, the differences in appearance between males and females of the same species, such as in colour, shape, size, and structure, that are caused by the inheritance of one or the other sexual pattern in the genetic material.

For example, male baboons are more than twice as large as females, and male northern, or Steller, sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) weigh about 1,000 kg (2,200 pounds), roughly three times as much as females.

The differences may be extreme, as in the adaptations for sexual selection seen in the exotic plumes and colours of the male bird-of-paradise (family Paradisaeidae) or in the adaptations for protection exemplified by the great size and huge canine teeth of the male baboon (Papio). Many birds show at least some dimorphism in colour, the female being cryptically coloured to remain concealed on the nest while the more-colourful male uses display in courtship and territorial behaviours. The mountain spiny lizard (Sceloporus jarrovi) is sexually dimorphic in feeding habits: the equal-sized males and females seek out different sizes of prey.

f) For chimpanzees, describe the (A) physical attributes, (B) geographical range and (C) ecological adaptations of the common chimpanzee.

answer:

(A) physical attributes,

• Chimpanzees have black hair, not fur.
• Sometimes they have white whiskers on their chin.
• Like humans, chimps have flat faces.
• Their forward-facing eyes and small noses mean they rely more on their sense of sight than on their sense of smell.
• They have bare skin on their palms, hands, and soles of their feet.
• They have longer arms than legs which is why they walk on the soles of their feet and knuckles of their hands.
• Their opposable thumbs and big toes which enable a precision grip on branches.

(B) geographical range

Chimps have the widest geographic distribution of any great ape, with a range of more than 2.6 million kilometers. They can be found discontinuously from southern Senegal across the forested belt north of the Congo River to western Uganda and western Tanzania. Gombe National Park in Tanzania is the first park in Africa specifically created for chimpanzees.

(C) ecological adaptations of the common chimpanzee.

Chimpanzees have many physical and behavioral adaptations that help them avoid predators, find food and stay safe in the rainforests of Africa. Such adaptations include long arms, opposable thumbs, big toes and behavioral adaptations, such as living in troops, using tools and sleeping in nests.