Diversity
Characteristics
Classification
Distribution
Interactions
Origins
Resources

 

    

A gorilla. A human, in this case Charles Darwin. An orang-utan. A chimpanzee. A ring-tailed lemur. A mandril. A cercopithecine monkey. An indri. A lemur. A gibbon. A spider monkey. A common marmoset. A howler monkey. shape= A tarsier. A bush-baby. A slow loris. A mouse lemurs.

 

Investigate this picture of variousYou can identify representatives of the six major natural groups of primates. This artwork shows the styles of locomotion and the arboreal versus terricolous nature of the primate groups, along with an evolutionary progression from left to right.primates and try to think what characteristics define a primate.

Primates have historically been difficult to define.

  • How would you define a "primate"?

Your definition should summarise the universal or near-universal features that clearly demarcate primates from all other placental mammals. In other words, what are the diagnostic characteristics of living primates? (Consult [Boyd & Silk 1997] (chapter 5) for help with this question.)

  • How are primates classified?

  • Where are primates found?

  • What interactions do primates have with humans?

Remember, humans are primates too!