Exam 5: Primates in Evolution

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One of the universal traits of primates is having five fingers on each hand and five toes on each foot. This trait is present in all primates and distinguishes them from other mammals.

Among the 14 traits that most primates have, one is the presence of nails instead of claws. While some primates, such as lemurs, have claws on some of their digits, most primates have evolved to have flat nails on their fingers and toes, which are used for grooming and manipulating objects.

Another common trait among primates is the presence of forward-facing eyes, which provides them with binocular vision. This allows primates to accurately judge depth and distance, which is particularly useful for arboreal species that rely on jumping and swinging through the trees.

Most primates also have a relatively large brain size compared to their body size. This is associated with their complex social behaviors and cognitive abilities, such as problem-solving and tool use.

Additionally, many primates have a dental formula that includes three types of teeth: incisors, canines, and molars. This dental pattern is adapted to their omnivorous diet, which includes a variety of fruits, leaves, insects, and occasionally small vertebrates.

Overall, these traits are common among most primates and have contributed to their success in diverse habitats around the world.

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Locomotion differs more for Primates than any other order. For example, the spider monkey is a brachiator, using its long arms to swing from branch to branch in the trees. On the other hand, the chimpanzee is a knuckle-walker, using its knuckles to support its weight as it moves on the ground. Finally, the orangutan is a quadrupedal walker, using all four limbs to move along tree branches. These examples showcase the diverse ways in which primates have adapted to their environments for locomotion.

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Fossil monkeys and apes typically have a dental pattern known as the "dental arcade," where the teeth are arranged in a parallel row. This is in contrast to modern monkeys and apes, which have a "Y-5" dental pattern, where the molars have five cusps arranged in a Y shape.

To identify a particular tooth, one would look at the shape and arrangement of the cusps, as well as the overall size and structure of the tooth. Additionally, the presence or absence of certain features, such as a diastema (gap between the teeth) or a specific wear pattern, can also help identify a particular tooth.