PDF-(READ)-Seasonality in Primates: Studies of Living and Extinct Human and Non-Human Primates

The emergence of the genus Homo is widely linked to the colonization of new highly seasonal savannah habitats However until now our understanding of the possible impact of seasonality on this shift has been limited because we have little general knowledge of how seasonality affects the lives of primates This book documents the extent of seasonality in food abundance in tropical woody vegetation It then presents a systematic analysis of seasonalitys impact in food supply on the behavioral ecology of nonhuman primates and ultimately applies its conclusions to primate and human evolution. Thinking Questions. Did humans evolve from apes? . http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/educators/teachstuds/svideos.html. Are non-human primates portrayed accurately in media (TV, . T. arzan, Planet of the Apes, King . Primates. Why study primates?. Social behavior offers clues to human behavior.. Many ‘human’ behavioral traits are seen in primates.. Examples?. Behavioral analysis combined with morphological comparisons allow us to determine probable behavior of human ancestors.. Taxonomy. Each taxon tells us more about that group’s . adaptations. . Makes important biological statements about genetic & evolutionary relationships. Adaptive Radiation. The evolution & spreading out of related species into new environmental niches. 2 Divisions of Primates. 1. Anthropoid primates. 2. . Prosimean. primates. Characteristics:. Nails (no claws). Prehensile hands and feet (grasping). Color vision and depth perception. Anthropoid Primates. Primates as Mammals. Intelligence. Born Live. Milk at birth. Stage of Learning. Skeletal System. Teeth. Way of Life. Activity Level. Specialized Vision. Primate Intelligence. Brain size larger, specifically in cerebral hemisphere (areas supporting conscious thought). What is “Bioinformatics”?. National Institutes of Health Definition: . Research, development, or application of . computational tools and approaches. for . expanding the use of biological. , medical, behavioral or health . Lori Marino. The Kimmela Center for Animal Advocacy. Convergent Minds. The Evolution of Cognitive Complexity. Boston . University 2015. Outline. What is convergence?. Background on primate and cetacean evolution. This comprehensive synthesis of current medical and evolutionary literature addresses key questions about the role body fat plays in human biology. It explores how body energy stores are regulated, how they develop over the life-course, what biological functions they serve, and how they may have evolved. There is now substantial evidence that human adiposity is not merely a buffer against the threat of starvation, but is also a resource for meeting the energy costs of growth, reproduction and immune function. As such it may be considered as important in our species evolution as other traits such as bipedalism, large brains, and long life spans and developmental periods. Indeed, adiposity is integrally linked with these other traits, and with our capacity to colonise and inhabit diverse ecosystems. It is because human metabolism is so sensitive to environmental cues that manipulative economic forces are now generating the current obesity epidemic. Human tooth size lies central to the fields of dentistry, physical anthropology, human biology, forensic dentistry, and archaeology. An appreciation of the genetic and environmental determinants of tooth size is fundamental to an understanding of the metric variation of teeth in humans. Thus, besides imparting a sound knowledge of the theories of dental inheritance, development and evolution, this book demonstrates the diverse practical applications of odontometrics. This book provides a synthetic overview of all evidence concerning the evolution of the morphology of the human pelvis, including comparative anatomy, clinical and experimental studies, and quantitative evolutionary models. By integrating these lines of research, this is the first book to bring all sources of evidence together to develop a coherent statement about the current state of the art in understanding pelvic evolution. Second, and related to this, the volume is the first detailed assessment of existing paradigms about the evolution of the pelvis, especially the obstetric dilemma. The authors argue that there are many \'dilemmas\', but these must be approached using a testable methodology, rather than on the proviso of a single paradigm. The volume clearly contributes to greater scientific knowledge about human variation and evolution, and has implications for clinicians working within reproductive health. A thought-provoking read for students, researchers and professionals in the fields of biological anthropology, human evolutionary anthropology, paleoanthropology, bioarchaeology, biology, developmental biology and obstetrics. This completely revised edition provides a synthesis of the forces that shaped the evolution of the human growth pattern, the biocultural factors that direct its expression, the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that regulate individual development, and the biomathematical approaches needed to analyze and interpret human growth. After covering the history, philosophy and biological principles of human development, the book turns to the evolution of the human life cycle. Later chapters explore the physiological, environmental and cultural reasons for population variation in growth, and the genetic and endocrine factors that regulate individual development. Using numerous historical and cultural examples, social-economic-political-economic forces are also discussed. A new chapter introduces controversial concepts of community effects and strategic growth adjustments, and the author then integrates all this information into a truly interactive biocultural model of human development. This remains the primary text for students of human growth in anthropology, psychology, public health and education. Now including numerous full colour figures, this updated and revised edition of Larsen\'s classic text provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of bioarchaeology. Reflecting the enormous advances made in the field over the past twenty years, the author examines how this discipline has matured and evolved in fundamental ways. Jargon free and richly illustrated, the text is accompanied by copious case studies and references to underscore the central role that human remains play in the interpretation of life events and conditions of past and modern cultures. From the origins and spread of infectious disease to the consequences of decisions made by humans with regard to the kinds of foods produced, and their nutritional, health and behavioral outcomes. With local, regional, and global perspectives, this up-to-date text provides a solid foundation for all those working in the field. Human remains recovered from archaeological sites can help us interpret lifetime events such as disease, physiological stress, injury and violent death, physical activity, tooth use, diet, and demographic history of once-living populations. This is the first comprehensive synthesis of the emerging field of bioarchaeology. A central theme is the interaction between biology and behavior, underscoring the dynamic nature of skeletal and dental tissues, and the influences of environment and culture on human biological variation. It emphasizes research results and their interpretation, covering palaeopathology, physiological stress, skeletal and dental growth and structure, and the processes of aging and biodistance. It will be a unique resource for students and researchers interested in biological and physical anthropology or archaeology. While most of us live our lives according to the working week, we did not evolve to be bound by industrial schedules, nor did the food we eat. Despite this, we eat the products of industrialization and often suffer as a consequence. This book considers aspects of changing human nutrition from evolutionary and social perspectives. It considers what a \'natural\' human diet might be, how it has been shaped across evolutionary time and how we have adapted to changing food availability. The transition from hunter-gatherer and the rise of agriculture through to the industrialisation and globalisation of diet are explored. Far from being adapted to a \'Stone Age\' diet, humans can consume a vast range of foodstuffs. However, being able to eat anything does not mean that we should eat everything, and therefore engagement with the evolutionary underpinnings of diet and factors influencing it are key to better public health practice.