5.0: Introduction to Primatology

We are primates. One way to learn about humans is to study them as a kind of primate. This works especially well to explain how we got the physical structure that we have. It works a little bit to explain a few of our behaviors. It doesn't work at all to explain our culture. The Darwin tubercle is a projection on the helix of the ear resulting from a thickening of the cartilage. The actual size of the tubercle varies. It is one of many vestiges of our primate ancestry.

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin's_tubercle

A broad research question in primatology is to compare and contrast primates to other mammals, and then compare and contrast primates to themselves.

Note

KATHRYN ORZECH'S INTRO: WHAT MAKES A PRIMATE A PRIMATE?

Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\): One goal of primatology is to use it to help us understand ourselves.

REVIEW PRIMATE SKELETONS AND MORE PRIMATE SKELETONS

• Jane Goodall is famous for studying chimpanzees. Watch this JANE GOODALL: WHAT SEPARATES US FROM CHIMPANZEES?
• Skim the first chapter of Augustín Fuentes Race, Monogamy, and Other Lies They Told You Busting Myths about Human Nature