ANTH 1001 : EXAM 2 NOTES With Visuals Copy
Anthropology 1001 Exam 2
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ANTHROPOLOGY EXAM #2
Systematics and Taxonomy
Definitions:
o Systematics: the study of the “relationships” among groups of organisms
o Taxonomy: system for classifying organisms
Carolus Linnaeus devised the taxonomic scheme that we continue to use today
As the chart goes down, the category below it is less inclusive then the one before it and vice versa.
Formal taxonomic expression of a species: Genus species.
o Homo sapiens - human
o Pan troglodytes - chimpanzee
o Canis familiaris – dog
Differences in the use of the taxonomy scheme between Linnaeus and modern biologists:
o Concept of the species category
To Linnaeus, there is no fundamental difference among the taxonomic categories (that is, species through kingdom). Each
group of organisms (i.e., taxon) has a unique “essence” (i.e., a unique suite of traits). Every organism in that taxon had the
“essential” traits. Therefore, species differ among themselves in their essences. Species that have partial overlap of their
essences would be classified in the same genus. Now each genus has a unique essence; genera differ in their essences.
Genera that have partial overlap of their essences would be classified in the same taxonomic family, the cycle continues.
Consequently, there is no fundamental difference among the categories in the classification of groups of
organisms
Modern biologists regard the species category to be different from the higher categories – genus through kingdom. The
species is a true, identifiable group of organisms. Species exist in nature; species is the unit of evolution. In contrast, the
higher taxonomic categories are human constructs; they do not exist in nature. The classification of species in higher
categories is based on a researcher’s opinion. There are then, multiple taxonomic classifications.
o Evolutionary implications of taxonomy
Linnaeus was a Creationist, so to him species did not evolve. Taxonomy served to illustrate the order in nature that was
fashioned by the Creator. Taxonomy also facilitated communication among biologists.
Modern biologists use taxonomy to make evolutionary statements. For example, two species that are placed within the
same genus are inferred to have a closer phylogenetic relationship with each other than they have with any other species.
Phylogeny: evolutionary lines of descent or ancestor-descendent relationship.
o Two limitations in making evolutionary statements using taxonomy:
Cannot express exact ancestor-descendent relationships
Cannot express chronology among taxa
o Linnaeus classified traits while modern biologists classify evolutionary relationships
Categories
Human Taxa
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata – spinal cord and
vertebral column
Class
Mammalia – mammary
glands, warm blooded
Order
Primates
Family
Hominidae
Genus
Homo
Species
Sapiens
Anthropology 1001 Exam 2
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George Gaylord Simpson – organisms are in the same species not because they look alike. Organisms look alike because
they are in the same species
We have common ancestors in the ape family but we just diverged more from them then other apes have
All of these charts can be correct. They are using different systematic approaches.
Taxonomy of Primates
Species
Genus
Family Apest
humans
Hylobatidae
Hylobates
Pongidae
Pongo Gorilla Pan
Hominidae
Homo
Species
Genus
Family Apest
humans
Hylobatidae
Hylobates
Pongidae
Pongo
Hominidae
Gorilla Pan Homo
Species
Genus
Family Apest
humans
Hylobatidae
Hylobates
Hominidae
Homo Pongo Gorilla Pan
Anthropology 1001 Exam 2
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Prosimiani: lemurs, loris, tarsier
Anthropoid: N.W Monkeys, O.W. monkeys, ape, human
Platrrhine: N.W Monkeys Catarrhine: O.W. Monkeys, ape, human
Hominoid: ape, human
Hominid: human
There are more species of monkeys than any other primate. If evolutionary success is related to the diversity of species, then monkeys are the
most evolutionarily successful primates.
Traits that characterize primates:
1. Grasping (i.e., prehensile) hands and feet
2. Nails, not claws
3. Increase reliance on vision; stereoscopic vision with eyes positioned at the front of the skull.
4. Decrease reliance on olfaction; snout is reduced in size
5. Postorbital bar
6. Large brain size compared to body size
7. Small number of offspring in a litter
8. Long period of juvenile development
Theories to explain the evolutionary origin of traits that characterize primates.
1. Arboreal Theory – early primates were adapting to life in the trees. They would hold onto the branches with their prehensile hands
and feet, and then leap to another branch. They could use their hands for food, etc. As the mouth was no longer needed for food
procurement, the snout reduced in length and the eyes rotated front the side of the cranium to the front, allowing for the 3D vision
of primates
2. Visual Predation Theory – early primates were preying on insects
3. Fruit Eating Theory- early primates foraged on fruits
Classifying Primates
Dental Formula: numerical description for the amount of teeth in the maxilla and mandible. This is not a mathematical formula
o Number of incisors, canines, premolars, and molars
o Always symmetry in the number of teeth in the left and right halves of maxilla (upper jaw) and of mandible (lower jaw)
o Dental formula shows only half the dentition
Example: (incisors, canines, premolars, and molars) 2,1,2,3/2,1,2,3
This is the same for both the maxilla and mandible and this shows the symmetry for the left and right side.
Dietary Categories:
o Insectivory – insects
o Frugivory – fruit
o Folivory - foliage (e.g., leaves, vines)
o Omnivory – varied diet
Locomotion
Genus
Subfamily
Family
Superfamily
Infraorder
Suborder
Order Primates
Prosimii
Lemurifo
rmes
Lorisifor
mes
Tarsiifor
mes
Anthropo
didae
Platyrrhi
nes
Catarrhin
i
Cercopith
coidae
Cercopith
ecoidea
Cercopith
ecinae Colobinae
Hominoid
ae
Hylobatid
ae
Hylobatid
ae
Hylobates
Pongidae
Pongidae
Pongo Gorilla Pan
Hominida
e
Hominida
e
Homo
