Chapter 16, Problem 7A

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Humans, apes, lemurs and monkeys are called primates. They share some general features such as high level of manual dexterity, keen eyesight, long, movable arms, and large brains. The primates with large brains have the capacity to reason. They share several behavioral and biological characteristics which suggest that they evolved from a common ancestor.

Answer to Problem 7A

Correct answer:

The correct answer is option D. lemur

Explanation of Solution

Explanation/justification for the correct answer:

Option D. lemur −There are more than 200 species belonging to the group of primates. They are classified into two major subgroups; the strepsirrhines and the haplorhines. The strepsirrhines or the ‘wet nosed” primates are considered to be the most basic primates. Lemurs are most numerous of this group. The first primate, therefore, resembled a lemur.

Hence this is the correct option.

Explanation for incorrect answer:

Option A. gibbon − The haplorhines or the “dry nosed” primates include the anthropoids or human- like primates. These include tarsiers, monkeys and apes. The apes include gibbons, orangutans, gorillas and humans. The gibbon is, therefore, not the first primate. Hence this is not the correct option.

Option B. gorilla- The gorilla belongs to the group of haplorhines or the “dry nosed” primates which include the anthropoids or human- like primates. It does not resemble the first primate.

Hence this is not the correct option.

Option C. tamarin− The tamarins are the squirrel sized New World monkeys. These belong to the group of haplorhines or the “dry nosed” primates. They were not the first primates.

Hence this is not the correct option.