Primatology is the scientific study of primates and was first documented in the early 1940s. Scientists who study this area of science are usually specialists in other academic areas, such as: anatomy, anthropology, psychology, biology, zoology, and medicine. The study of primatology carries out research into biological and physical aspects of non-human primates (Lambert, K 1997).
By carrying out this research, scientists may be able to gain a better understanding of our own ancestors. Primatologists study both extinct and extant species of primates with the use of museums (looking at specimens and fossil records), laboratories, in the field and semi-free ranges – captive environments that are set up to be as close to a species natural environment
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Western primatology originates from Northern American and European scientists. Early investigations were conducted for medical research – using chimpanzees in studies to determine primate intelligence. Japanese primatology stems from animal ecology. Two scientists, Kinji Imanishi and Junichiro Itani, are credited as the founders of this focus of primatology. Imanishi originally studied horses before concentrating upon primate ecology; he was one of the founders of the Primate Research Group in 1950. Itani was a professor in anthropology, and co-founded the Primate Research Group along with Imanishi, as well as also founding the Centre for African Area Studies (Campbell, C …show more content…
Goodall is a Chimpanzee enthusiast with no university education. She worked for a world-leading primatologist, Louis Leakey. Her passion for the study of primates led him to provide funding for her to travel to Tanzania to study Chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Whilst there, she discovered that humans were not the only species with the intelligence to craft and use tools – she observed chimpanzees using sticks to catch termites from within their mounds. Jane spent many of her research years living with these primates, observing previously undocumented behaviours - such as the adoption of orphaned infants and inter-group conflict. Goodall founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977, which involves local people in the protection of Chimpanzees in Tanzania (Taub, B
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.
I visited the Sacramento Zoo during the afternoon of April 21, 2017. The weather was wonderful, sunny, warm, and there was a slight breeze. It got a bit more breezy the longer I was there. Visiting the zoo to observe primates allowed me to become a little more aware of how primatologists study primates. Even though I’ve been to many different zoos several different times, I never realized how many primates were associated with the zoos, as well as the variety of primates in the zoos. The Sacramento Zoo has eight different primates, all in different classifications, superfamilies, or subfamilies. While observing the Chimpanzees, White-Handed Gibbon, Mongoose Lemur, White-Faced Saki, and the Wolf’s Guenon I could see the differences
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.
Every few years, Hollywood releases a new Planet of the Ape movie, which is always a blockbuster hit. Moviegoers flock to see these movies of how apes rise together and how they are actually more intelligent than meets the eye. Most people do not know the premise behind these movies of how smart and closely related apes are to humans. This is because people probably have never taken a physical anthropology class and have not done research on apes –our closet kins. Known for his immense studies in the fields of apes and monkeys, his long term research in the behavior of chimpanzees and mountain gorillas, and his experience in the forests with the apes, the co-director of the Jane Goodall Research Center and writer of our textbook, primatologist
New technologies and advancement in the area of field research has allowed biologist and primatologist to analyze information more effectively and efficiently. Through the non-invasive collection of fecal samples, researchers are able to extract and analyze DNA to help determine individual attribute, as well as population dynamics. In addition to DNA, fecal samples also contain hormones and parasites that help in determining the overall health of the depositor (Newton-Fisher NE, 2010). Other technologies include the use of Geographic Information Systems allows for mapping the ranges of chimpanzees, and satellite imagery is used to view the deforestation of select areas (Goodall, 2002).
Being able to understand the relationship between humans, apes, and bigfoot will help humans document all life on earth in the quest for knowledge. Works Cited Bigfoot Facts. (2012, October ). Bigfoot Finder. Retrieved January 31, 2014, from http://bigfootfinder.com/resources/bigfoot-facts1/. Biology.
Quiatt, D., & Reynolds, V. (1993). Primate behaviour: information, social knowledge, and the evolution of culture. Cambridge [England: Cambridge University Press].
A scientist does not necessarily need to obtain a degree in order to research and discover aspects of a particular species. Jane Goodall provides an example of a scientist who did just that. At the age of 26, Goodall began
The species A. afarensis is one of the better known australopithecines, with regards to the number of samples attributed to the species. From speculations about their close relatives, the gorilla and chimpanzee, A. afarensis’ probable social structure can be presumed. The species was named by Johanson and Taieb in 1973. This discovery of a skeleton lead to a heated debate over the validity of the species. The species eventually was accepted by most researchers as a new species of australopithecine and a likely candidate for a human ancestor.
All in all, learning about primates then getting to observe them is very interesting. I got to match the primate’s behaviors written in a book with how they act in person, and see for myself if it was what I expected. Observing them is far more fun than just reading about them, for example while I was sitting with the orangutans there was not a minute that went by where I wasn't smiling or laughing at what each individual ape was doing. Actually seeing certain primates interact with each other whether it be grooming, hugging,or playing, put into perspective just how much they act like humans. By observing and doing research, this will better our understanding between the differences and similarities of non-human primates and ourselves as humans.
In July of 1960 at the age of 24 she went back to Africa along with her mom. She had never really worked with chimps before but was anxious to start. At first it was very difficult to observe the chimpanzees. Every time she would try to get close to the chimps they would always run away. Jane was determined to observe the chimps and here determination helped her develop the best method to study the chimpanzees. After working hard and staying determined she soon got the chimps to start trusting her. Jane stuck to her techniques and after two years earned the chimpanzees trust completely so much that they would come to her looking for food. She spent every day with the apes and this time helped her learn things that no one had ever learned about chimpanzees before. Goodall was devoted and hardworking when it came to earning the trust of the chimps. She would even eat food with them and spend time with them in the
I observed chimpanzees in the Kimberly-Clark Chimpanzee Forest exhibit at the Dallas zoo. These African apes, like humans, are hominoids and fall into the larger category of catarrhines. Their scientific classification is Pan troglodytes. There were about ten chimpanzees in that habitat. Most of them were grown adults, except two children. They were robust and had black fur. The average weight of the chimps was listed on a display to be about 115 pounds.
Jane Goodall Among the Wild Chimpanzees Jane Goodall is a woman who has and still does work with chimpanzees in Tanzania, South Africa. The first time she went to Tanzania was on July 14, 1960 when she was just 26 years old. Because of her research and studies of many different chimpanzees, we as humans will be able to better understand ourselves and other primates. At first, Jane just sat on a peak at the top of a mountain, so that she could observe the chimps. The chimpanzees would keep a safe distance away so they were able to watch Jane and make sure that she wasn’t going to hurt them in any way.
...higher and more complicated degree. More research done about non human primates can help us understand more our social, ecological, and cultural roots.
Chimpanzees are part of the non-human primate group. Though we share a common ancestor, evolution has pushed us in different directions. However this common ancestor causes humans to be curious about these creatures. As discussed in Jane Goodall’s video Among the Wild Chimpanzees we were once considered to be human because of our use of tools but once we observed these non-human primates using tools, this perception was changed forever. The question now at hand is if having the chimpanzees that we study in captivity makes a difference between studying wild chimps. These interesting creatures can be found naturally in the rainforests of Africa.