Chapter 19, Problem 1CC

Connecting the Concepts

1. In the primate phylogenetic tree below, fill in groups (a)–(e). Of the groups, which are anthropoids and which are apes?

Summary Introduction

To complete: The primate phylogenic tree (containing apes and anthropoids).

Introduction:

Primates are evolved about 65 million years ago. The characters of primates include limber joints, grasping hands and feet with flexible digits, a short snout, and forward-pointing eyes. Living primates are lorises, bush babies, and lemurs; the tarsiers; and anthropoids (monkeys and apes).

All primates are anthropoids: gibbons, orangutans, gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees, and humans, but humans and chimpanzees are apes. Apes have larger brains than other primates, which include gibbons, orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans.

Answer to Problem 1CC

Fig. 1 represents various groups of the primate phylogenic tree.

Pictorial representation: A phylogenetic tree showing various groups of primates is given in Fig. 1.

Fig.1: The primate phylogenic tree.

Explanation of Solution

(a)

Correct answer: Old world monkeys.

Old world monkeys are primates that belong to the super family Cercopithecoidea. Old world monkeys have tails. Hence, the correct answer is old world monkeys.

(b)

Correct answer: Gibbons.

Gibbons are the small, arboreal apes. They are distributed in the wild, in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia. Hence the correct answer is gibbons.

(c)

Correct answer: Orangutans.

Orangutans are great apes, and they are closely related to humans. Hence, the correct answer is orangutans.

(d)

Correct answer: Gorillas.

Gorillas are ground-dwelling, herbivorous apes. They live mostly in the forests of central Sub-Saharan Africa. They show many human-like behaviors and emotions, (laughter and sadness). Hence, the correct answer is gorillas.

(e)

Correct answer: Chimpanzees.

Chimpanzees are the species of apes that are most closely related to humans. Chimpanzees are found in tropical forests and savannas of equatorial Africa. Hence, the correct answer is chimpanzees.