Chapter 16, Problem 5A

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Primates are members of highly diverse order of mammals. Most primates share common features such as binocular vision and opposable digits. Primates include lemurs, New World monkeys, Old World monkeys, apes and humans. Strepsirrhines are the most primitive living lineages of primates to evolve. They diverged from haplorhines before 55 million years ago.

Answer to Problem 5A

Correct answer :

The correct answer is option (C) New World monkeys

Explanation of Solution

Explanation/justification for the correct answer :

Option (C) New World monkeys. These are characterized by relatively long tails. Many have prehensile tails. These are first to evolve among the given options. Thus, this is the correct answer.

The explanation for the incorrect answer :

Option (A) African apes. African apes live n family groups or small bands and display complex social behavior. Thus, this is an incorrect option.

Option (B) hominins. Hominins are unique primates because they possess the ability to walk for long distances on two legs. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

Option (D) Old World monkeys. Old World monkeys are similar to the New World monkeys but lack prehensile tails. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.