300227 VO Primatology (2012W)

The course includes 5 chapters. Chapter 1 entitled "What are Primates?" portrays the general characteristics, the geographical distribution including ecological and diet questions, and will focus on classification systems from the end of the 19th century to the presence. Chapter 2 entitled "Primate Origin" discusses the evolutionary beginning of primates - where and when did they originate? Chapter 3 entitled "Structure and Function". Part one of the chapter discusses external morphological characters, the special senses, and the central nerve system. Part two gives basic information of different teeth kinds and functions, of comparative dental formulae, different types of adapted digestion systems in relation to diet intake. Part three and four includes various types of locomotion and different sequences in reproduction. Chapter 4 entitled "Social Behavior" introduces main knowledge about group size and composition, the use of space in primate groups, communication, sexual behavior, dominance, and raises the question why primates live in groups. Chapter 5 entitled "Profiles of Primates" describes briefly the species of 57 genera of living non-human primates.