Modern Primate Museum
Format: In person or online
See tarsiers in a virtual museum of anthropology.
Author: Dr. Keith Chan
Time needed: ~30 minutes
Learning Objectives
- Identify scale models of modern primates
- Examine traits of modern primates
- Infer the adaptations of modern primates
Supplies Needed
- Computer, smartphone, or VR goggles (optimal)
- Internet connection
- AnVRopomotron.com
- Worksheet (attached)
Readings
- Etting, Stephanie. 2019. Chapter 5: Meet the Living Primates. Explorations.
Introduction
In this activity we will look at exhibits in AnVRopomotron.com, an online virtual anthropology museum created by Dr. Keith Chan. Our focus will be on modern primates: examining their skulls and other physical traits. Students will answer questions by finding information presented in the virtual museum along with their own thinking about the lives of primates living today, based on lectures and readings.
AnVRopomotron can be viewed on web browsers in a variety of devices with different control schemes. A computer with a mouse and keyboard will provide a good experience. A smartphone with touch controls is less ideal due to the small screen. A virtual reality headset with touch controls is optimal when virtual reality goggles are available.
Steps
- Students could work individually or in teams, but be sure to each take turns in order to experience the museum if working in a group.
- Part 1: Students load the AnVRopomotron website and use their controls to go right and behind the wall to the “Grab Lab.” Students should browse the two tables from the right, “Modern Hominid Skulls” and “Modern Prosimian and Monkey Skulls.” They can interact with each object to bring up info boxes to help them answer the questions on the worksheet.
- Part 2: Students will leave the “Grab Lab,” walk past the Height Chart, and into the Scale Model Hall. That section has models of modern primates, including tarsiers, gorillas, and a howler monkey. More orange orbs bring up information on each species to help students answer the questions on the worksheet.
Review Questions
The activity allows students to visualize prehistoric primates in a way that is connected to their own perception and exploration. Here are some areas to direct a discussion at the conclusion of this lab:
- Discuss traits that the primates share in common and how they differ.
- What was surprising about the traits of the skulls and the scale models?
- What are some examples of primate adaptations to specific environments?
Adapting for Online Learning
Rank how adaptable to online learning this lab is:
If applicable, include tips and suggestions on how to adapt this lab for online learning: Students could browse the exhibits and answer the questions on their own using their own device.
Tips and Suggestions
Browse the AnVRopomotron.com site on your own to get used to the controls and the layout of the museum. Students into gaming should be able to pick up the controls quickly but others may need help.
References
Etting, Stephanie. 2019. “Chapter 5: Meet the Modern Primates.” Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology, edited by Beth Shook, Katie Nelson, Kelsie Aguilera, and Lara Braff. Arlington, VA: American Anthropological Association. http://explorations.americananthro.org/
Image Attributions
Chan, Keith. (2021). Tarsier [Illustration]. Used under Creative Commons 0: Public Domain Dedication.
AnVRopomotron Worksheet
Introduction
Go to anvropomotron.com on your device and use the controls to move around. The different controls for different devices are listed on the wall you are facing:
- Computer web browser: Use the WASD keys to move and drag with the mouse to look around.
- Smartphone: Press on the screen to move forward. Press with two fingers to move backward. Enable motion controls to tilt your phone to look around. Otherwise, swipe with your finger to look.
- Virtual Reality: Use the left thumbstick to move and the right thumbstick to turn. Pushing forward on the right thumbstick activates a teleportation feature.
Part 1. VR Grab Lab
Facing the front of the bronze centerpiece, turn right and go into the VR Grab Lab. Go past the two artifact tables and turn the corner to face the back wall that features four more tables. We will be working with the two tables to the right, labeled “Modern Hominoid Skulls” and “Modern Prosimian and Monkey Skulls.” Touch the items to bring up information on the back wall and a magnified view. First, touch the modern human skull to the far right of the “Modern Hominoid Skulls” table. Then, answer these questions.
1. Compare this model with others on the table: What are some differences in the traits between the modern human skull and the others?
Now examine the chimpanzee skull next to the modern human one. Touch it to bring up its information.
2. What is the scientific name of the chimpanzee?
3. Where is the chimpanzee found in the wild?
The next two skulls to your left are the two biggest on the table. They belong to the same species, even though they have very different traits.
4. Which of the two big skulls is the larger of the two?
5. What is the term for the difference in size between males and females?
Move over to the next table to the left, labeled “Modern Prosimian and Monkey Skulls.” Skip to the second skull from the right: the mandrill.
6. The crests of bone on the cheeks of the male mandrill support the colorful pads of skin as seen in the photograph on the wall. The male mandrill has this trait to attract females. What do you think the female mandrill’s skull looks like in comparison?
Pick the small skull near the center of the table. It is the skull of a squirrel monkey.
7. What trait visible in the photograph of the squirrel monkey identifies it as a platyrrhine?
The two skulls on the far left belong to the potto and the indri. Examine each one.
8. What is one of the traits on these two skulls that is not present in any of the others on the table?
Part 2. Scale Model Hall
Walk out the way you came and then pass by the left side of the Height Chart to enter the Scale Model Hall. Keep turning left until you see a model of a gray monkey on a blue structure to your left. Touch its orb to bring up some information.
9. What is the scientific name of the monkey?
10. What is the object that the monkey model is standing on? How many times larger is the model compared to the real object it is based on?
Move on to the next display, which is a series of four tarsier models. Touch the orb near it for information.
11. What ability of the tarsier is the series of models showing?
Continue to the next set of models, showing gorillas and a mouse lemur. Touch the orb to show its information.
12. While they look very different, the eastern lowland gorilla and Madame Berthe's mouse lemur both share primate traits. What are two traits they have in common?
Just a fun fact: Madame Berthe's mouse lemur is named for Berthe Rakotosamimanana, a researcher from the lemur's home island of Madagascar.
13. Real gorillas and mouse lemurs do not live together. What is the display showing by putting them together?
Turn right from the gorillas and lemur display and move toward the large orange ape sitting on the ground. As usual, touch its orb to bring up its information.
14. What is the common name of this primate?
15. Why is this primate critically endangered?
Turn left to the next display, just to the left of the doorway to the Burial Chamber (which is not part of this assignment). Look at the black-and-gold howler monkey on the branch. Touch its orb for info. Bonus fact: The “gold” part of the species's name refers to the gold color of the female. The model is based on the male.
16. Based on the information, why do you think the howler monkey has an enlarged lower jaw and throat area?
17. Consider what you know about natural selection: How would these traits act as adaptations that increase reproductive success?
Part 4. Summary
Thinking about the exhibits you have seen, put some of the information together by answering the following questions.
18. Comparing skulls with the living forms, how could studying skulls give an incomplete view of the organism? In contrast, what does studying skulls contribute to our knowledge of primates?
19. How would you describe the diversity of modern primates, based on what you have seen? Consider both biology and behavior in your answer.