Primate Classification

Hominid Evolution

When did we split from other Primates?

Primates~25 million years ago: Old World Monkeys split from

Hominoids, a linage that resulted in humans, gorillas and chimps

~17 million years ago: Great apes (Hominidae) including orang-utans, gorillas and humans, branched off from the lesser apes, which includes gibbons

~10 million years ago: Organ-utans branched off within the Hominidae linage

~5 million years ago: Hominids, including Homo sapiens, branched off from Chimpanzees

Features Common to All New World MonkeysPrehensile tail that

can be used as a 5th limb

QuadrupedalStrictly tree dwelling

(arboreal)Widely separated

nostrils

Features Common to All Old World MonkeysTail is not prehensileQuadrupedalSome are ground

dwellingNostrils are close

together and open downwards

No tailSemi-erect or fully erect postureBroad chest, pelvis and shouldersRelatively long arms and mobile shoulder

jointsLarger brain

Features Common to All Hominoids

Features Common to All ApesSome brachiating

(swinging underneath from branch to branch)

Some mainly ground dwelling and quadrupedal

Flattened noseBony eye ridges

Features of HominidsBipedalLarge forebrain (cerebral cortex)Reduced teeth in general, particularly canines

Possessed to varying degreesNose and chin are prominentReduced eye ridgesHighly sensitive skin*

Body hair very reduced to assist cooling *

Complex social behaviour

* Assumed

GAME: Name That Primate GroupName the primate group that the organism pictured

belongs toNew World MonkeysOld World MonkeysApesHominids

Give one example of a feature of this group

Apes

New World Monkey

Old World Monkey

Apes

Old World Monkey

New World Monkey

Apes

Hominid

Old World Monkey

Apes & Hominids

New World Monkeys

Old World Monkeys

HominoidsApes Hominids

Prehensile tile Tail not prehensile No tail No tail

Quadrupedal Quadrupedal Quadrupedal Bipedal

Strictly tree dwelling

Some are ground dwelling

Mainly ground dwelling Ground dwelling

Widely spread nostrils

Close nostrils that open downwards Flattened nose Prominent nose

Body hair Body hair Body hair Body hair reduced for cooling

Broad chest, pelvis and shoulders

Broad chest, pelvis and shoulders

Relatively long arms and mobile shoulder

joints

Relatively long arms and mobile shoulder

jointsReduced canines

and teeth in general

Summary