Primates are considered to be one of the most interesting mammals on earth to study due to their numerous similarities with humans and their complexities in life. Today we look at primates as our closest relatives, meaning that observations and research will not only give us information about non-human primates, but human primates as well. There were many primates to choose from, though I decided to observe two types of primates, the Western Lowland Gorilla, and the Tufted Capuchin Monkey. Both species of primates were observed at the San Diego Zoo. With my research, I will collect data from my observations, give background information from credible sources, and explain the interactions I encountered while observing the two different primates. Before attempting to understand ourselves and other species as primates, it is important to understand that scientific research is the basis for determining our origins as primates, understanding certain species of primates, and why we consider primates to be our closest ancestor. According to the San Jose Research Center, there are about 190 living species of primates known to man. There are three existent theories regarding the origin of primates. The first theory to be studied by human kind is the arboreal theory. This is the theory that claims that primates have evolved from their ancestors by adapting to arboreal life. What this means is that primates are believed to have developed certain characteristics when adapting to living in trees. Another important factor to consider when thinking about the arboreal theory is that primates relied on sight rather than smell. This could possibly be due to the depth perception needed to swing through trees efficiently to get to certain places. No... ... middle of paper ... ... live in arboreal habitats, while Old World Monkeys are able to tolerate a wider range of habitats. With this being said, it is important to understand that Old World and New World monkeys may look similar, yet a closer look reveals unique and distinctive differences. One of the species I chose to center my research paper on is the Tufted Capuchin Monkey. The Tufted Capuchin Monkey’s scientific name is the Cebus Apella Apella, yet they are also known as brown capuchin, black-capped capuchin, or even pin monkey. The Tufted Capuchin is most commonly found east of the Andes from Colombia and Venezuela to Paraguay and Northern Argentina. We find these unendangered monkeys to be living in rain forests, low montane forests, and semi-deciduous lowlands. Also, Capuchin Monkeys are found to have the widest range and broadest habitat tolerances of any other Cebus species.
There are contrasts in tool kits used by different groups of chimpanzees, which seem to be a result of the environment in which they live as well as information that is shared by the group. For example, in 1973 it was reported that chimpanzees in Gombe did not use hammer stones, but those of Cape Palmas did. We will explore the tool use of Chimpanzees from the wild, including Gombe, Tai National Forest, and the Congo Basin---and contrast those with Chimpanzees in captivity in locations of Zoo’s both in the United States and abroad.
Dr. Goodall is a well-known British primatologist who has discovered a substantial amount about primates in her many years of research. She has written numerous books, including one that we will be going into depth about called, “Through a Window.” Her book contains personal experiences, research findings, and even pictures to help the readers visualize her scientific breaking moments from her thirty years with the chimpanzees of Gombe. She states that there is are minor differences, and several similarities between humans and the chimpanzees. We will discuss these differences and similarities through their social behavior, intellectual ability, and emotions. To conclude, examine Goodall’s research to adopt what her findings can tell us about our early ancestors, and whether or not her study coincided to the steps of scientific methodology.
Due to all of Jane Goodall’s consecutive studies and patience, the world wouldn’t have as much insight into a primate’s life as of today. Early in her life she always had a fascination of animals, especially chimpanzees. She began her journey as a young British woman with determination and ended by traveling to Tanzania, Africa. It was there when she became more in depth with herself and the chimpanzees. Living in the jungles, Goodall documented the everyday lives to our closest relative. She carved the need to conserve the earth into the world with her logical advances and new discoveries. She had touched the hearts of many animal-loving people and received many awards and achievements for her cause. From the early 20th century to current time, Jane Goodall has influenced the world by her engaged dedication to the observations of chimpanzees and through the scientific studies from her books, articles,
Quiatt, D., & Reynolds, V. (1993). Primate behaviour: information, social knowledge, and the evolution of culture. Cambridge [England: Cambridge University Press].
She did this by educating her readers’ on the baboon life, by informing them of new discoveries about them, and expressing how the continued study of primates is still very important to help further our understanding of human behavior and human evolution. This book was very informative, properly organized, and kept the reader’s attention without falter. Strum led the way for incredible future findings and discoveries into the world of primates and what they have to offer humanity. The courage she had to go against leading opinions and ideas in the scholarly world helped to pave the way for future anthropologists to do the same and to not just agree with previous findings. To search for their own truths and conclusions, because of this Shirley Strum’s research will continue to reach and inspire the minds of generations to
For the purpose of this paper I visited the Los Angeles Zoo, on October 23, 2015. Luckily I was able to visit all of the animals in the short amount of time I had. I primarily stayed at the Gorilla and Chimp exhibit to understand their behaviors and how they act like us.
Monkey see, monkey do. Apes have always been thought to have an increased level of intelligence. Over the years, researchers have attempted to understand the degree of intelligence these primates possess. However, it is essential to understand the definition of intelligence in order to determine the amount of intelligence primates have. Intelligence is the capability of obtaining knowledge and being able to utilize it in everyday situations. There are many hypotheses that focus on the evolution of intelligence in primates that view a number of factors including brain size and modernism. Primate intelligence has been a topic of interest to many because it will allow us to further understand the close relationship between humans and primates. Additionally, we will be able to understand the difference between human and primate cognition. Some studies suggest that the human and primate brains possess many similarities. This demonstrates why primates tend to respond to stimuli in a manner that is closely related to humans. Researchers have conducted a number of studies in an effort to understand primate cognition.
The first thing that caught my attention was how each primate evolved to fit its environment. For example, Ring-tailed lemurs, which live exclusively on Madagascar, are both arboreal and terrestrial meaning their environment must have plentiful forests. I thought it was very interesting when the troop of lemurs went to the stream to drink and used their tails as a signal other members of the troop. I had never heard of lemurs using their tails for this purpose before. Sifakas lemurs also only live on Madagascar, but these lemurs developed longer
There is great debate over the concept of primate evolution. Some research supports the idea that evolution occurred linearly as a continuum while other research supports the idea that fossils found to date should be separated into individual species. Through morphological, and geological evidence this paper explores this topic and provides concise arguments to further develop the understanding of human primate evolution.
There are many individuals around the world who are unaware of the intellectual capacity of chimpanzees and other primates. According to National Geographic, chimpanzees are one of our closest living relatives; we share ninety-eight percent of our DNA with them (“Chimpanzees”). Chimpanzees can be naturally found in Southern Senegal, the Congo River, Western Uganda, and Western Tanzia; Gombe National Park in Tanzia is the first park in Africa that was specifically developed for chimpanzees (“Chimpanzee”). Although it can be shocking for some, chimpanzees are dexterous individuals and are capable of manufacturing tools and putting them to use. Tool-usage for chimpanzees ranges from foraging to hygiene purposes, but uses of tools vary among each population (Watts). Chimpanzees use twigs, stones, branches, leaves, rocks, and much more to create the tools they need to assist them with certain tasks such as retrieving termites from their mounds with stripped twigs (Atkinson). Jane Goodall was the first person to document such tool use in the wild.
This article, titled Common Ground, written by Barbara Smuts, points out the main differences between humans and apes, such as our upright stance, large brains, and capacity for spoken language and abstract reasoning. However, the main point of this article is to emphasize the many similarities that apes share with us. Smuts goes into great detail about how human social and emotional tendencies are very reflective in the family of apes.
The emergence of human primates has been a mystery for years. Humans have evolved and grown as a species in a way that is so intricate it is unlike any other species the world has seen. The intricate ways in which we have evolved may come from our ancestors of non-human primates. The close relationship human primates and non-human primates share come to a theory of shared commonalities.
There are two distinct infraorders of Anthropoidea that have been evolving independent of each other for at least 30,000,000 years. They are the Platyrrhini (New World monkeys) and the Catarrhini (Old World monkeys, apes, and humans). These two diverse groups of species can be distinguished from each other most easily based on the form of their noses and by the number of specific types
One of the major causes for primate endangerment is logging. Logging, the harvesting of trees for timber, disrupts the home of many primates such as orangutans, gorillas, red colobus monkeys, howler monkeys, and chimpanzees. Even though there are specific areas that are protected by law, it is not enough to save these primates because illegal logging is very common: “Nevertheless, records for penalizing poachers are often poor, because wildlife protection is rarely a national or even local priority. Corruption can often be an additional major problem that tempts poorly paid and resourced park managers, guards and local authorities to disregard law, thus undermining effective conservation programs,” (Tranquili et al. 2014). Since arboreal primates
Celli, Maura L., Satoshi Hirata, and Masaki Tomonaga. "Socioecological Influences On Tool Use In Captive Chimpanzees." International Journal Of Primatology25.6 (2004): 1267-1281. Academic Search Premier. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.