ANT 301 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Mandibular Symphysis, Sub-Saharan Africa, Pitheciidae
Document Summary
Adaptive radiation, filled every niche available in madagascar. Sifaka: 9-10 different species in madagascar, adapted to wide range of habitats, great hindleg to forearm ratio. Long chisel-shaped incisors, thought to be a rodent. Distinctive features of anthropoids: fused mandibular symphysis (lower jaw a single jaw, the chewing muscles are actually on the opposite of the side of the mouth, a complete plate of bone behind the orbit - postorbital plate. Difference between cercopithecoids (old world) and platyrrhines (new world) Platyrrhines: north part of south america: have prehensile tails, ear tube, old world monkey have partially bone ear tubes, premolars: new-three, old-two. Callitrichinae: twins are the norm for litters, only one female mates with all the males, the other females don"t reproduce. The offspring are a genetic mix of all the males. Include the smallest living anthropoids: marmoset: diet: mostly gum, insects, fruit, re-evolved claws, tamarin: fruit, nectar. Large brains, better cognitive ability: only known tool use by a primate.
