How Humans Evolved 7th Edition by Robert Boyd - Test Bank

How Humans Evolved 7th Edition by Robert Boyd – Test Bank

 

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Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

CHAPTER 5: Primate Diversity and Ecology

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. Humans and nonhuman primates share a suite of traits, including grasping hands and binocular vision, so their last common ancestor must have also shared this suite of traits. These traits in humans and nonhuman primates is therefore an example of

a.	balancing selection.	c.	recombination.
b.	analogy.	d.	homology.

 

 

ANS:  D                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Two Reasons to Study Primates

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Remembering

 

2. What makes primates useful models for understanding human evolution?

a.	Primate evolution is more complex than the evolution of lower animals.
b.	We share many of the same adaptations as other primates.
c.	We share an interest in evolution with other primates.
d.	Modern primates represent the primitive condition of our common ancestor.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Two Reasons to Study Primates

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Understanding

 

3. Charles Darwin

a.	advocated placing humans in the primate order.
b.	agreed that humans should be placed in their own order based on our distinctive mental abilities and upright posture.
c.	did not comment in writing on the relationship of humans to other organisms.
d.	did not think that humans should be classified with any other organisms.

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Two Reasons to Study Primates

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Remembering

 

4. The diversity seen in behavior among closely related species is most likely due to ecological pressures. Similar behaviors seen in distantly related species is likely due to convergence. Which of the following research methods utilizes these concepts as its foundation?

a.	Comparative	c.	Double blind
b.	Blind	d.	Observation

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Two Reasons to Study Primates

OBJ:   Identify the complex of traits that define the primate order.

MSC:  Remembering

 

5. Mammals share certain traits, such as viviparity and lactation. Studying generalities about many living mammals can give insight into particular mammalian species, such as ourselves. This is an example of

a.	reasoning by analogy.	c.	reasoning by convergence.
b.	reasoning by homology.	d.	reasoning by divergence.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Two Reasons to Study Primates

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Remembering

 

6. Members of the order Primate are very diverse in behavior and morphology. Much of this diversity may be understood as adaptations to particular environments. Using this knowledge to gain insight into human behavior and morphology is an example of

a.	reasoning by analogy.	c.	reasoning by convergence.
b.	reasoning by homology.	d.	reasoning by divergence.

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Hard              REF:   Two Reasons to Study Primates

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Remembering

 

7. Diversity in closely related organisms living under different ecological conditions can help in the understanding of

a.	convergent evolution.
b.	homologies.
c.	how natural selection shapes behavior and morphology.
d.	how behaviors remain the same through time.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Two Reasons to Study Primates

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Remembering

 

8. Most primates rely more on visual stimuli and less on olfactory stimuli than do other mammals. Which of the following is one line of evidence for this?

a.	Primates have more complex eyes than do other mammals.
b.	Primate olfactory apparatuses are highly specialized, especially in diurnal primates.
c.	Primates have more optic nerves than do other mammals.
d.	The primate visual sense is highly developed while the olfactory apparatus is reduced, especially in diurnal primates.

 

 

ANS:  D                    DIF:    Hard              REF:   Features That Define the Primates

OBJ:   Identify the complex of traits that define the primate order.

MSC:  Understanding

 

9. Substantial size differences between males and females is called

a.	conspecifics.	c.	polyandry.
b.	congenerics.	d.	sexual dimorphism.

 

 

ANS:  D                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Features That Define the Primate Order

OBJ:   Identify the complex of traits that define the primate order.

MSC:  Remembering

 

10. Which of the following is not a homologous trait among humans and other primates?

a.	Large brain in relation to body compared with other mammals.
b.	Well-developed vision.
c.	Grasping hands.
d.	Almost no sexual dimorphism in body size.

 

 

ANS:  D                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Features That Define the Primate Order

OBJ:   Identify the complex of traits that define the primate order.

MSC:  Remembering

 

11. In primate dentition, the left side of a jaw is identical to the right side. This is called

a.	bilateral symmetry.	c.	positive correlation.
b.	homologous dentition.	d.	pleiotrophy.

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Features That Define the Primate Order

OBJ:   Identify the complex of traits that define the primate order.

MSC:  Remembering

 

12. Derived characteristics that define the order Primate include

a.	bipedalism.
b.	increased dependence on complex behavior, learning, and behavioral flexibility.
c.	specialized molars, up to six incisors, and a lack of premolars.
d.	highly developed olfaction (sense of smell).

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Features That Define the Primates

OBJ:   Identify the complex of traits that define the primate order.

MSC:  Understanding

 

13. Hind-limb dominance refers to

a.	a tendency in primates toward bipedal locomotion.
b.	opposable toes and thumbs.
c.	the fact that hind limbs do most of the locomotor work.
d.	vertical clinging and leaping.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Features That Define the Primates

OBJ:   Identify the complex of traits that define the primate order.

MSC:  Remembering

 

14. A feature that distinguishes primates from other mammals is

a.	longer pregnancies.
b.	arboreal lives.
c.	shorter periods of dependence on parents.
d.	living in social groups.

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Features That Define the Primates

OBJ:   Identify the complex of traits that define the primate order.

MSC:  Remembering

 

15. Primates are found mainly in tropical regions. In tropical environments,

a.	daily temperatures fluctuate dramatically.
b.	seasonal changes are virtually nonexistent.
c.	primate foods are affected more by seasonal changes due to rainfall than by those due to temperature.
d.	primate foods are affected more by temperature than by rainfall.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Primate Biogeography

OBJ:   Show where primates live in the world.                             MSC:  Remembering

 

16. Compared with the strepsirrhines, the haplorrhines are

a.	More often active during the night.
b.	more dependent on smell than on vision.
c.	smaller brained.
d.	found in larger and more complex social groups.

 

 

ANS:  D                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   A Taxonomy of Living Primates

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Remembering

 

17. New World monkeys are

a.	all arboreal and diurnal.
b.	all arboreal and some have prehensile tails.
c.	almost exclusively terrestrial.
d.	generally all the same small body size.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Primate Diversity

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Remembering

 

18. Pair-bonded groups and active defense of territories are typical of the

a.	great apes.	c.	lesser apes.
b.	monkeys.	d.	lorises.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Primate Diversity

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Remembering

 

19. Compared with the haplorrhines, the strepsirrhines

a.	retain many ancestral characters.
b.	are typically quite large in body size.
c.	have evolved numerous adaptations that suit their diurnal lifestyle.
d.	have more fully developed traits related to increased complexity of behavior.

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Hard              REF:   A Taxonomy of Living Primates

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Understanding

 

20. One adaptation to nocturnality is

a.	color vision.	c.	immobile ears.
b.	large eyes.	d.	large body size.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   A Taxonomy of Living Primates

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Remembering

 

21. In the phylogeny of evolutionary relationships among the primates, tarsiers

a.	may be more closely related to anthropoids than to lemurs and lorises.
b.	are small-bodied like most anthropoids.
c.	may be more closely related to strepsirrhines because they are nocturnal.
d.	are considered arboreal quadrupeds like most New World monkeys.

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   A Taxonomy of Living Primates

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Understanding

 

22. The platyrrhine primates

a.	are found in Madagascar.
b.	have no tails.
c.	have a dental formula of 2:1:2:3.
d.	are also called the New World monkeys.

 

 

ANS:  D                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   A Taxonomy of Living Primates

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Remembering

 

23. Which of the following is a key component of primate ecology?

a.	The distribution of predator and prey species
b.	The distribution of relatives
c.	The distribution of offspring
d.	The distribution of rivers

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Primate Ecology

OBJ:   Understand how primates cope with primary ecological challenges: finding food and avoiding predation.   MSC:           Understanding

 

24. The social organization and behavior of a species are directly influenced by

a.	heritability of a trait.	c.	environmental factors.
b.	genetic mutation.	d.	metabolic rates.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Primate Ecology

OBJ:   Understand how primates cope with primary ecological challenges: finding food and avoiding predation.   MSC:           Understanding

 

25. Basal metabolic rate is the amount of energy required for

a.	evolutionarily important activities of an animal.
b.	maintenance of body processes at rest.
c.	reproduction.
d.	feeding.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   The Distribution of Food

OBJ:   Understand how primates cope with primary ecological challenges: finding food and avoiding predation.   MSC:           Remembering

 

26. Secondary compounds are

a.	products of complex molecules with health benefits.
b.	intermediate between primary and tertiary compounds.
c.	protective or defensive toxins found in some plants.
d.	chemicals in the digestive tract designed to reduce the effects of plant toxins.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   The Distribution of Food

OBJ:   Understand how primates cope with primary ecological challenges: finding food and avoiding predation.   MSC:           Remembering

 

27. Which of the following foods requires specific digestive adaptations in primates?

a.	Mature leaves	c.	Flowers
b.	Young leaves	d.	Tree sap

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   The Distribution of Food

OBJ:   Understand how primates cope with primary ecological challenges: finding food and avoiding predation.   MSC:           Remembering

 

28. Compounds found in foods that are essential in regulating many of the body’s metabolic functions are

a.	proteins.
b.	fats and oils.
c.	vitamins, minerals, and trace amounts of certain elements.
d.	carbohydrates.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   The Distribution of Food

OBJ:   Understand how primates cope with primary ecological challenges: finding food and avoiding predation.   MSC:           Remembering

 

29. A smaller animal is more likely to be

a.	an insectivore than a frugivore, because it cannot outcompete larger animals.
b.	an insectivore than a frugivore, because it requires higher-quality food than larger animals.
c.	a frugivore than an insectivore, because it cannot outcompete larger animals.
d.	a frugivore than an insectivore, because it requires a lower quantity of food than larger animals.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Hard              REF:   The Distribution of Food

OBJ:   Understand how primates cope with primary ecological challenges: finding food and avoiding predation.   MSC:           Understanding

 

30. During reproduction a female’s energetic costs

a.	increase, especially during the first half of pregnancy.
b.	increase, especially during the second half of pregnancy.
c.	increase, particularly during lactation.
d.	decrease after she gives birth.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   The Distribution of Food

OBJ:   Understand how primates cope with primary ecological challenges: finding food and avoiding predation.   MSC:           Understanding

 

31. Which of the following statements is true?

a.	Diurnal primates are generally solitary.
b.	Foraging and resting times are affected by ecological conditions.
c.	Nocturnal primates are large in body size.
d.	Foraging and resting times are dictated by diet.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Activity Patterns

OBJ:   Understand how primates cope with primary ecological challenges: finding food and avoiding predation.   MSC:           Remembering

 

32. Territories are

a.	fixed areas defended by members of a group against conspecifics.
b.	fixed areas defended by members of a group against other species.
c.	areas where members of a group are often found.
d.	areas where groups come together in areas where their ranges overlap.

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Ranging Behavior

OBJ:   Identify what kinds of groups primates form.                     MSC:  Remembering

 

33. Modern primates are found in the tropical and temperate zones of

a.	Madagascar, Africa, and Australia.	c.	Africa, Asia, and the New World.
b.	Africa, Asia, Europe, and Antarctica.	d.	China, Japan, and Australia.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Biogeography

OBJ:   Show where primates live in the world.                             MSC:  Remembering

 

34. You are given a jawbone of an unknown primate, and you notice that the anterior and posterior cusps of the lower molars form two parallel ridges. What might you conclude from this observation?

a.	This is the mandible of a frugivore.
b.	This is the mandible of a folivore.
c.	This is the mandible of a cercopithecine.
d.	This is the mandible of an ape.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Hard              REF:   Taxonomy

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Analyzing

 

35. Resource-defense territoriality occurs when

a.	resources are distributed over a wide area.
b.	resources are abundant and thus worth defending.
c.	food is clumped in a space.
d.	females are clumped in space.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Ranging Behavior

OBJ:   Understand how primates cope with primary ecological challenges: finding food and avoiding predation.   MSC:           Remembering

 

36. In primates, territoriality occurs when

a.	females defend food or males defend access to females.
b.	females defend access to males or males defend food.
c.	males defend access to both food and females.
d.	females defend access to both food and males.

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Ranging Behavior

OBJ:   Understand how primates cope with primary ecological challenges: finding food and avoiding predation.   MSC:           Applying

 

37. Evidence that predation is important in primates includes

a.	its frequent observance.
b.	the observation that many primate species have antipredator defenses.
c.	the fact that predators are in the same areas as primates.
d.	primates are an easy prey species because of their size.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Predation

OBJ:   Understand how primates cope with primary ecological challenges: finding food and avoiding predation.   MSC:           Understanding

 

38. Which of the following statements is true?

a.	Estimated predation rates vary from less than 1% to 15% of the population per year in primate populations.
b.	Estimated predation rates per month are from 1% to 15% in primate populations.
c.	Adults are 10% more susceptible to predation than are subadults.
d.	Arboreal species are more susceptible to predation than are terrestrial species.

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Predation

OBJ:   Understand how primates cope with primary ecological challenges: finding food and avoiding predation.   MSC:           Remembering

 

39. Most primate species

a.	live in social groups.
b.	live solitary lives.
c.	live in social groups only during the breeding season.
d.	are only social when predator activity is high.

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Primate Sociality

OBJ:   Identify what kinds of groups primates form.                     MSC:  Remembering

 

40. Sociality is costly to primates because

a.	there is greater competition for resources.
b.	there is increased vulnerability to disease.
c.	there is increased vulnerability to attacks from conspecifics.
d.	they have to share home ranges with other primates.

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Primate Sociality

OBJ:   Identify what kinds of groups primates form.                     MSC:  Understanding

 

41. Cercopithecines

a.	typically live in small one-male groups.
b.	typically live in groups where all the females are related.
c.	typically live in groups where all the males are related.
d.	are typically monogamous.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Primate Sociality

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Remembering

 

42. If primates make different calls when they detect other species nearby, then one could predict

a.	they want to attract the other species so they can find them.
b.	they want to define their territory.
c.	those calls are to defend their resources.
d.	those are specific alarm calls to avoid predation.

 

 

ANS:  D                    DIF:    Hard              REF:   Primate Ecology

OBJ:   Understand how primates cope with primary ecological challenges: finding food and avoiding predation.   MSC:           Applying

 

43. The size and composition of primate social groups are a compromise between

a.	competition for mates and competition for food.
b.	body size and home range size.
c.	costs and benefits of sociality.
d.	competition for food and benefits of sociality.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Predation

OBJ:   Understand how primates cope with primary ecological challenges: finding food and avoiding predation.   MSC:           Understanding

 

44. A typical day in the life of a primate

a.	changes significantly day to day.
b.	is consumed by socializing with group members.
c.	is unaffected by seasonal changes in environment.
d.	includes two long feeding bouts, once in the morning and once in the late afternoon.

 

 

ANS:  D                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Primate Sociality

OBJ:   Identify what kinds of groups primates form.                     MSC:  Understanding

 

45. Which of the following contributes to the endangerment of primates?

a.	Habitat destruction
b.	Infanticide
c.	Selective foresting
d.	Resource competition with conspecifics

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Primate Conservation

OBJ:   Discuss major factors that threaten the status of wild primate populations.

MSC:  Remembering

 

46. Which of the following contributes to the endangerment of primates?

a.	Infanticide	c.	Biomedical research
b.	Subsistence foraging	d.	Small-scale agricultural projects

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Primate Conservation

OBJ:   Discuss major factors that threaten the status of wild primate populations.

MSC:  Remembering

 

47. The United States has

a.	increased the number of imported primates in recent decades.
b.	decreased the number of imported primates in recent decades.
c.	not changed the number of imported primates in recent decades.
d.	allows only the importation of certain primates.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Primate Conservation

OBJ:   Discuss major factors that threaten the status of wild primate populations.

MSC:  Remembering

 

ESSAY

 

1. How is the comparative method used in the study of primate behavior and ecology? Explain how it might help researchers understand the evolution of behavior and morphology.

 

ANS:

The comparative method is used to understand the evolution of behavior and morphology by looking for trends or correlations between behavior and morphology and the environment. In closely related species this may reflect evolutionary history, and characteristics may be shared because of common ancestry. The corollary is that differences are likely due to different selection pressures. Likewise, similarities in more distantly related species may be the result of similar selection pressures.

 

DIF:    Medium         REF:   Two Reasons to Study Primates

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Understanding

 

2. Explain how reasoning from homology and reasoning from analogy can help us to understand our own species better.

 

ANS:

Reasoning by homology is looking to closely related species for similarities, the assumption being that the similarities are a result of shared ancestry. Reasoning by analogy would require comparing humans with more distantly related species that have similar behavior or morphology, the assumption being that the characters are shared because of similar selective pressures or similar ecology. These approaches can help us understand our own species better because we can, for example, compare humans and chimpanzees, our closest relative, to gain insights into characters that may be shared because of common ancestry and therefore may be present in our extinct relatives (the other bipedal hominins). We may also compare humans with other, more distantly related species such as baboons or even wolves that have complex social systems and/or live in habitats similar to those of some of our ancestors to determine what adaptations are associated with these behaviors or environments.

 

DIF:    Medium         REF:   Two Reasons to Study Primates

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Understanding

 

3. Summarize the changes in manual dexterity and sensory reorganization that accompanied the evolution of primates.

 

ANS:

The evolution of primates involved changes in manual dexterity that included a change to hind-limb-dominant locomotion and the evolution of opposable thumbs and toes, tactile pads, and nails instead of claws. This suite of traits allows for fine-motor skills and the ability to manipulate objects. The important sensory reorganization that occurred was a reduction in the sense of smell and an expansion in the sense of vision. Binocular and stereoscopic vision and the expansion of the visual centers of the brain allow for depth perception and visual discrimination. This is helpful in all the environments in which primates live, especially arboreal habitats.

 

DIF:    Easy               REF:   Features That Define the Primates

OBJ:   Identify the complex of traits that define the primate order.

MSC:  Understanding

 

4. Compare and contrast how primates differ from other mammals in each of the following categories and give a specific example for each one: (a) limbs and locomotion, (b) teeth and diet, (c) the senses, (d) the brain and intelligence, and (e) behavior.

 

ANS:

Primates are different from other mammals in the following ways:

(a) Limbs and locomotion: Primates have hind-limb-dominant locomotion and grasping hands and feet with fine-motor skills and sensitivity. For example, they do careful grooming of each other.

(b) Teeth and diet: Although primates retain a variety of different types of teeth for eating a variety of foods, they generally have fewer teeth than ancestral mammals and certain adaptations of some teeth and the gastrointestinal tract to accommodate their diet. For example, folivores have molars with sharp shearing crests to tear up their food and either an expanded stomach or colon with colonies of bacteria to digest the cellulose in leaves. But even folivores will eat some fruits for carbohydrates/sugars.

(c) The senses: Compared with other mammals, primates do not have as keen a sense of smell, but they have a better sense of vision. For example, stereoscopic binocular vision provides primates with better depth perception.

(d) The brain and intelligence: Compared with other mammals, primates have a larger brain for their body size, as well as a longer life history and longer period of development that permit increased learning and increased behavioral flexibility. This allows for very complex social behaviors, such as chimpanzees living in complex fission-fusion groups with a dominance hierarchy.

(e) Behavior: Primates have very complex behaviors, and this connects to their large brain and intelligence. See example (d) above.

 

DIF:    Medium         REF:   Features That Define the Primates

OBJ:   Identify the complex of traits that define the primate order.

MSC:  Analyzing

 

5. Compare and contrast five differences in morphology and behavior between the strepsirrhine primates and the haplorrhine primates. Make a distinction between ancestral and derived traits in your discussion.

 

ANS:

To answer this question, students should know which primates are classified in the two suborders, as well as the main differences between strepsirrhine and haplorrhine primates; therefore, they should primarily address differences in ancestral and derived behavioral and morphological traits.

Strepsirrhine primates, which include lemurs, lorises, and galagos, retain more primitive mammalian characteristics, such as a nocturnal lifestyle, small body size, a smaller brain for their body size, and a better sense of smell. Haplorrhine primates, which include monkeys, apes, and humans, have more adaptations for a diurnal lifestyle, generally larger body sizes, a reduced sense of smell and better vision, a larger brain, and greater behavioral complexity, with larger social groups and longer life history patterns, which allows for more learning and behavioral plasticity.

 

DIF:    Easy               REF:   A Taxonomy of Living Primates

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Analyzing

 

6. Explain the taxonomic problems associated with members of Tarsiiformes. How would an evolutionary taxonomist classify these organisms within the order Primate? How would a cladist classify these organisms within the primates?

 

ANS:

Tarsiiformes are difficult to classify because they share some characteristics with monkeys, apes, and humans and some with lemurs, lorises, and galagos. This is the reason we have two ways of dividing the order Primate into two suborders. A cladist would place tarsiers with the monkeys, apes, and humans in the suborder Haplorrhini because of several shared derived characteristics, including but not limited to genetic and morphological similarities (such as incipient postorbital closure, not mentioned in the text). However, evolutionary taxonomists still place tarsiers in the suborder Prosimii (or Strepsirrhini) because of behavioral characteristics similar to those of lemurs, lorises, and galagos, such as nocturnal lifestyles, small groups or solitary social systems, and parking their infants.

 

DIF:    Medium         REF:   A Taxonomy of Living Primates

OBJ:   Describe the major characteristics that differentiate one kind of primate from another.

MSC:  Understanding

 

7. Imagine you discover a new species of primate. It has a large body size (about 35 lbs.), is sexually dimorphic, appears to spend much of its time in the trees, lives in dense tropical forest, and has longer arms than legs. Based on this information only, what can you hypothesize about this new species’ behavior and ecology?

 

ANS:

If it has a large body size, then it will have a high metabolism, eat fruit or leaves primarily, and be active during the day.

If it is sexually dimorphic, then it will live in multimale, multifemale groups.

If it lives in dense tropical forest, then communication will rely more on vocal signals than on visual signals.

If its arms are longer than its legs and it spends most of its time in the trees, then this species will move below branches in brachiation or semibrachiation.

 

DIF:    Hard               REF:   Primate Ecology

OBJ:   Understand how primates cope with primary ecological challenges: finding food and avoiding predation. | Identify what kinds of groups primates form.         MSC:              Evaluating

 

8. How do active metabolism, growth rate, and reproductive effort affect basal metabolism?

 

ANS:

Active metabolism, growth rate, and reproductive effort all increase the energetic demands on an animal. Basal metabolism is rarely achieved; only when an individual is fasting and resting does it function at a basal metabolic rate. To meet the demands of active metabolism, primates require roughly twice the calories of their basal metabolism. Growth rate further increases the metabolic demand of maturing primates. And reproductive effort increases a female primate’s energetic needs by 25% during gestation and 50% during lactation.

 

DIF:    Medium         REF:   The Distribution of Food

OBJ:   Understand how primates cope with primary ecological challenges: finding food and avoiding predation.   MSC:           Understanding

 

9. What adaptations do some plants have to make themselves less palatable to animals that might otherwise eat them? Explain the primate counteradaptations that allow them to eat such plants.

 

ANS:

Some plants produce secondary compounds, which can be toxins or digestion inhibitors, to make them less palatable, digestible, or even poisonous to primates. The primate counteradaptations that allow them to eat such plants include behavioral adaptations, such as selecting young leaves that contain fewer secondary compounds, and limiting the amount of leaves of certain species and therefore the amount of secondary compounds they ingest. Some also have developed the ability to successfully digest certain secondary compounds with relatively few effects.

 

DIF:    Hard               REF:   The Distribution of Food

OBJ:   Understand how primates cope with primary ecological challenges: finding food and avoiding predation.   MSC:           Understanding

 

10. Using the information from the chapter on how ecology shapes behavior, create a model showing how certain ecological pressures might have favored sociality in primates.

 

ANS:

There are many benefits to group living. They include (a) more effective resource defense against other, especially smaller, groups of conspecifics or even other species with which primates may compete for food, and (b) more effective predation avoidance because larger groups have more eyes and ears to detect predators. If there is a predation attempt, more individuals can gang up on the predator, mob it, and try to deter it, and if there are more bodies, the chance of any individual being eaten is diluted when living in a group.

 

DIF:    Easy               REF:   Primate Sociality

OBJ:   Identify what kinds of groups primates form.                     MSC:  Creating

 

11. Discuss the main factors contributing to the endangerment and extinction of primates.

 

ANS:

Many primates are faced with endangerment or extinction in the wild. This is primarily due to four factors:

(a) Habitat destruction from logging and agriculture. This may be due to rising population pressure in poor countries, as well as the debt these countries have incurred and their need to use their resources to repay foreign debt.

(b) Hunting for subsistence in poor countries, as well as for the bushmeat trade, where eating species such as primates is a status symbol for people in urban areas.

(c) Diseases, often introduced or exacerbated by humans, such as yellow fever, polio, or even Ebola.

(d) Live capture for trade and export. In the past, capture was for biomedical research, which was responsible for many primates being removed from the wild. Currently, there is a black market trade for animals as pets or for body parts in traditional medicine. It should be stressed that primates make poor pets.

 

DIF:    Medium         REF:   Primate Conservation

OBJ:   Discuss major factors that threaten the status of wild primate populations.

MSC:  Understanding