Practice Quiz for Overview of the Primates

Which of the following characteristics is not shared by all primates?

• binocular vision

• three dimensional depth perception

• color vision like humans

Answer explanation

While humans, apes, and some monkeys can see the full range of colors, lemurs and most of the other more primitive primates cannot.

When a hand grip is formed by partial bending or flexing of the fingers and the palm, sometimes with counter force applied by the thumb, it is a_____.

• power grip

• precision grip

• digit

Answer explanation

A power grip is used by monkeys, apes, and people to get a strong, secure grasp, as when using a hammer or hanging from a tree branch. It would not normally be used for precision manipulation of small objects.

Which of the following animals is not a primate?

• humans

• apes

• monkeys

• all are primates

Answer explanation

The Order Primates includes people, apes, monkeys, and some related animals such as lemurs.

The Order Primates includes about how many living species?

• 10

• 77

• 190

• 556

Answer explanation

The actual number of species is probably somewhat higher than 190 since possible new ones are found every few years.

Which of the following statements about primates is true?

• Diurnal species are generally more sociable than nocturnal ones.

• Most species are primarily terrestrial.

• The diet of most species is primarily carnivorous.

• none of the above

Answer explanation

The majority primate species that are active during the day live in large social groups and have more complex interactions than do the nocturnal ones. Most primates are diurnal. Only a few of the smaller ones are not.

Primates:

• are all medium dog size or larger with gorillas being the biggest

• often groom each other's fur

• generally lack sensitive tactile pads on the tips of their fingers

• all of the above

Answer explanation

Among most primate species, individuals regularly groom each other. This keeps their fur and skin free of insects and debris. It is also a means of providing psychological and social satisfaction.

Primates have:

• long gestation periods for animals of their size

• many offspring at a time--usually two or more

• short natural life spans for animals of their size

• none of the above

Answer explanation

Most primate species have long pregnancies, or gestation periods. The result is that offspring are born more mature and, therefore, have a greater chance of survival. This gives primates a selective advantage.

The strong primate collar bones (clavicles) and flexible shoulder joints are adapted primarily for:

• running rapidly

• climbing in trees

• swimming

• none of the above

Answer explanation

These anatomical traits, along with a relatively flat front to back profile of the torso, are typical adaptations for tree-living animals who hang from their arms. These characteristics are well developed in many primate species.

Which of the following statements is true concerning primates?

• No primates have prehensile feet.

• 70% of primates have prehensile feet.

• All primates except humans have prehensile feet.

• All primates have prehensile feet.

Answer explanation

All primates except humans are capable of holding and manipulating objects efficiently with their feet. Human toes are too short and lack the opposability necessary to effectively grasp most objects.

Non-human primates mostly live in _______________ regions of the world.

• tropical and subtropical

• subtropical and temperate

• all

Answer explanation

With few exceptions, primates are limited to the warm, snow-free environments in the middle latitudes of the world. They are also rare in desert environments.