ANT 131 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6-7: Tropical And Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests, Stereopsis, Haplorhini
Document Summary
Different types of teeth (incisors, canines, premolars, molars) Ability to maintain internal body temperature through physiological means (endothermy) Primates have generally retained ancestral mammalian traits that other mammals have lost. Arboreal adaptation (hypothesis) - niche in trees that led to dentition, diet, vision, grasping hands/feet. Basic traits developed with appearance/diversification of flowering plants. Overall lack of dietary specialization lack of specialization in size/shape of the teeth. Dental formula: describe the number of each type of tooth that typifies a species: primates = 4 kinds of teeth: incisors and canines for biting/cutting. Premolars and molars for chewing and grinding. Locomotion: erect posture, generalized limb structure hip/shoulder anatomy. Locomotion, other activities: 5 digits hands/feet, opposable thumb, nails, tactile pads with sensory nerve fibers on digits. Diet/teeth: variety in diet, teeth shape/ omnivorous. Longer gestation: efficient means of fetal nourishment, reduced # of offspring, delayed maturation, extension of lifespan.
