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| Our Primate Cousins |
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Photo slideshow of various primates I've
worked with at a wild animal park (except the
orangutans and gorillas, which were
photographed elsewhere).
Humans belong to the taxonomic Order
Primates, which is comprised of 11 Families,
52 Genera, & 181 species. Primates are
divided into two main groups: Prosimians
(literally "before monkeys/apes) and
Anthropoids (literally "man like"). The
evolution of primates is characterized by
trends toward mobile limbs, grasping hands, a
flattened face, binocular vision, a large,
complex brain, & a reduced reproductive rate.
Most Primates are well adapted to arboreal
living (living in trees).
Primate evolution occurred primarily during
the Cenozoic Era, Prosimians first branching
off in the early Eocene Epoch 58 mya (million
years ago).
Around 33 mya, during the Oligocene Epoch,
the Anthropoids split off into 3 main groups:
New World Monkeys (w/prehensile tails), Old
World Monkeys (w/out prehensile tails), & the
Hominoids (eventual Apes & Humans w/out any
tails).
In the Miocene Epoch, around 15 mya, Asian
Apes & African Apes diverged paths. At
approx. 6 mya, African Apes & Human lineage
split, producing Hominids (members of the
taxonomic Human Family Hominidae) in a region
of Central Africa called the Great Rift
Valley. There, dense jungle gave way to great
savannah plains, & bipedalism became a
helpful adaptation in surviving in a high
grass environment w/a variety of predators.
To this day, Chimpanzees & Humans share 98.5%
of the same DNA sequences, even though
millions of years separate us from a common
ancestor. The evidence for evolution has been
found within the fossil record. Additional
corroboration has been found comparing DNA
sequences which show dramatic linkages
between all modern primate species. A
comparative study of mitochondrial DNA shows
that the differences among present human
populations are consistent w/their having a
common ancestor no more than a million years
ago.
Prosimian (lemurs, tarsiers, bushbabies &
lorises)
0:26-0:45 Ring Tailed Lemur
Anthropoids (monkeys, apes & humans)
New World Monkeys (w/prehensile tails)
0:52-1:02 Black Tamarin Marmoset
1:03-1:10 Squirrel Monkey
1:11-1:18 Capuchin Monkey
1:19-1:26 Woolly Monkey
1:27-2:10 Spider Monkey
**1:47-1:51 a spider monkey is investigating/
harassing a river turtle.
**1:52-1:57 two spider monkeys are
investigating/ harassing an alligator.
Old World Monkeys (w/out prehensile tails)
2:13-2:36 Vervet Monkey aka Green Monkey or
Guenon or Grivet
**These are the monkeys scientists have thus
far linked as a carrier species for the RNA
retrovirus associated w/HIV/AIDS.
2:37-3:43 Rhesus Macaque
**3:13-3:43 show a troop of rhesus macaques
interacting w/Sika & Fallow deer, as well as
Mouflon sheep & raccoons.
Hominoids (apes & humans, w/out any tail)
Asian Apes
3:45-3:53 White Handed Gibbon
3:54-4:08 Orangutan
African Apes
4:11-4:32 Lowland Gorilla
4:33-4:59 Chimpanzee
Human
4:52-4:59 Me kissing a Chimpanzee ^_^
All photographs are the property of Dafttool
& cannot be reproduced or used without the
expressed authorization of Dafttool.
Tags : dafttool primate evolution human lemur ape gibbon chimp gorilla orangutan monkey anthropology nature tarsier wildlife |
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Affichage : 60986
Durée : 307 s |
| Primate Evolution and Human Disease |
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Ajit Varki is Co-Director of the newly
established UCSD / Salk Center for Academic
Research and Training in Anthropogeny,
multidisciplinary approach to understanding
human origins, which involves scientists from
across San Diego and all over the world. Here
he explores the genetic approach to
understanding human disease, in the light of
genetic changes that occurred during our
evolutionary history.
Tags : evolution CARTA genetics |
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Affichage : 1715
Durée : 3066 s |
| H.R.2964 The Captive Primate Safety Act |
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The Captive Primate Safety Act aims to
improve the lives of captive primates in this
country.
Although it is illegal to import primates
into the United States for the pet trade,
there is still a booming market for
wild-caught primates for pets in South
America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Regardless
of the source of a primate pet, the message
sent by such animals being desired as pets
keeps the demand for, and consequently, the
supply of animals in motion.
It does for primates what the Captive
Wildlife Safety Act -- which Congress passed
unanimously in late 2003 -- did for lions,
tigers, and other big cats. The Senate
Committee on Environment and Public Works
approved the bill in May 2006, clearing the
way for consideration by the full Senate.
More than 50 organizations have joined The
HSUS in supporting the Captive Primate Safety
Act, including the American Zoo and Aquarium
Association, the American Veterinary Medical
Association, the American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Born Free
USA, and the Jane Goodall Institute.
The bill focuses on the pet trade and has no
impact on zoos or other licensed facilities.
Music: Coldplay, Trouble
(This is a really good song so turn up the
volume!)
Tags : primates pets exotic pet trade monkeys capuchins marmosets chimps ornagutans gibbons wild animals |
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Affichage : 1482
Durée : 272 s |
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