Our Primate Cousins

Photo slideshow of various primates I've worked with at a wild animal park (except the orangutans and gorillas, which were photographed elsewhere). Humans belong to the taxonomic Order Primates, which is comprised of 11 Families, 52 Genera, & 181 species. Primates are divided into two main groups: Prosimians (literally "before monkeys/apes) and Anthropoids (literally "man like"). The evolution of primates is characterized by trends toward mobile limbs, grasping hands, a flattened face, binocular vision, a large, complex brain, & a reduced reproductive rate. Most Primates are well adapted to arboreal living (living in trees).Primate evolution occurred primarily during the Cenozoic Era, Prosimians first branching off in the early Eocene Epoch 58 mya (million years ago).Around 33 mya, during the Oligocene Epoch, the Anthropoids split off into 3 main groups: New World Monkeys (w/prehensile tails), Old World Monkeys (w/out prehensile tails), & the Hominoids (eventual Apes & Humans w/out any tails).In the Miocene Epoch, around 15 mya, Asian Apes & African Apes diverged paths. At approx. 6 mya, African Apes & Human lineage split, producing Hominids (members of the taxonomic Human Family Hominidae) in a region of Central Africa called the Great Rift Valley. There, dense jungle gave way to great savannah plains, & bipedalism became a helpful adaptation in surviving in a high grass environment w/a variety of predators. To this day, Chimpanzees & Humans share 98.5% of the same DNA sequences, even though millions of years separate us from a common ancestor. The evidence for evolution has been found within the fossil record. Additional corroboration has been found comparing DNA sequences which show dramatic linkages between all modern primate species. A comparative study of mitochondrial DNA shows that the differences among present human populations are consistent w/their having a common ancestor no more than a million years ago.Prosimian (lemurs, tarsiers, bushbabies & lorises)0:26-0:45 Ring Tailed LemurAnthropoids (monkeys, apes & humans)New World Monkeys (w/prehensile tails)0:52-1:02 Black Tamarin Marmoset1:03-1:10 Squirrel Monkey1:11-1:18 Capuchin Monkey1:19-1:26 Woolly Monkey1:27-2:10 Spider Monkey **1:47-1:51 a spider monkey is investigating/ harassing a river turtle.**1:52-1:57 two spider monkeys are investigating/ harassing an alligator.Old World Monkeys (w/out prehensile tails)2:13-2:36 Vervet Monkey aka Green Monkey or Guenon or Grivet **These are the monkeys scientists have thus far linked as a carrier species for the RNA retrovirus associated w/HIV/AIDS.2:37-3:43 Rhesus Macaque**3:13-3:43 show a troop of rhesus macaques interacting w/Sika & Fallow deer, as well as Mouflon sheep & raccoons.Hominoids (apes & humans, w/out any tail)Asian Apes3:45-3:53 White Handed Gibbon3:54-4:08 OrangutanAfrican Apes4:11-4:32 Lowland Gorilla4:33-4:59 ChimpanzeeHuman4:52-4:59 Me kissing a Chimpanzee ^_^All photographs are the property of Dafttool & cannot be reproduced or used without the expressed authorization of Dafttool.

Channel: Pets & Animals
Uploaded: May 5, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Author: dafttool

Length: 05:07
Rating: 4.33
Views: 59889

Tags: anthropology  ape  chimp  dafttool  evolution  gibbon  gorilla  human  lemur  monkey  nature  orangutan  primate  tarsier  wildlife  

Video Comments