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Wendy J. Rodriguez Dr. Bradd Shore Anthropology 101-EC3 31 January 2014 Introduction to the Primates Professor Anne Zeller begins this documentary by introducing the relationship between primates, humans and a number of other mammals. Each of these mammals carry phenotypic differences enables their fitness; Giraffes sport long necks in order to support its necessary diet on top of highest trees whereas bats are able use their specialized hands to enable flight. Primates on the other hand are of the same order as humans and it made evident through the overlapping traits that they share. Both are warm blooded mammals, nurse their young, and carry them to gestation. Currently, there is only one known species of human amongst the vast variety of primate species. Zeller list countless examples of the traits of primates and their longevity/ flexibility over the past 55 million years. Primates have eyes that are frontward facing and enclosed in a bony socket. The eyes also have evolved to carrying color vision- the vision necessary to support a diurnal lifestyle. Their noses have as also taken a change from from being wet to dry which is a downside for a primates sense of smell. The most distinguishing trait that primate and humans share is the ability of an opposable thumb. All of these evolutions have promoted a significantly longer life of such monkeys. Zeller introduces mammals outside of the Old World and New World monkey. Prosimians demonstrate entirely different traits than the previously described traits of monkeys. Prosimian eyes are widely spaced and have significantly less color visions which defers from the

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ability the other monkeys have for a diurnal lifestyle. This variation allows for an optimal vision for their nocturnal lifestyle. In addition to the variation of eyes, the noses remain wet instead of dry which allows for an impeccable sense of smell much like the dogs. Throughout the video, Zeller describes the differences of a variety of species and also their similarities. I found it very interesting to see the lineage of traits we share with creatures that are often seen as inferior in comparison to humans. Humans are considered the superior species, because of all the interference we have amongst our own artifacts. We are seen as higher because we have basically taken over the world as our own. Could it be our biological predisposition that allows us to think in a different way than the primates with our similar traits? Being our closest living relatives, its not a surprise to see the commonality between humans and other primates. Obviously, when it comes to our bodys anatomy, we are extremely similar but also clearly distinct. Why is it that other primates are able to learn and do things that are associated for humans? If so, what is it that makes us any superior? Humans and primates both are able to think cognitively. Other primates are able to perform tasks just as efficiently as humans do. The way they learn it might be different but they are able to do it nonetheless. The tendency for categories amongst human kind makes me think of this division. Plus, religion plays a huge part on the belief that human beings' have superiority over other creatures. Each species has their distinctive way of communicating. We might not be able to fully understand them, but it does not make them lack of intelligence or reasoning for survival any different. We are unique as a species in the way we behave and survive. It is affected by our environment and culture. Each community of species has its own designated roles in order to survive. Why are species resembled to us viewed as inferior?