Academic literature on the topic 'Anthropoidea'

Darwinius is an adapoid primate from the Eocene of Germany, and its only known specimen represents the most complete fossil primate ever found. Its describers hypothesized a close relationship to Anthropoidea, and using a Saimiri model estimated its age at death. This study reconstructs the ancestral permanent dental eruption sequences for basal Euprimates, Haplorhini, Anthropoidea, and stem and crown Strepsirrhini. The results show that the ancestral sequences for the basal euprimate, haplorhine and stem strepsirrhine are identical, and similar to that of Darwinius . However, Darwinius differs from anthropoids by exhibiting early development of the lower third molars relative to the lower third and fourth premolars. The eruption of the lower second premolar marks the point of interruption of the sequence in Darwinius . The anthropoid Saimiri as a model is therefore problematic because it exhibits a delayed eruption of P 2 . Here, an alternative strepsirrhine model based on Eulemur and Varecia is presented. Our proposed model shows an older age at death than previously suggested (1.05–1.14 years), while the range for adult weight is entirely below the range proposed previously. This alternative model is more consistent with hypotheses supporting a stronger relationship between adapoids and strepsirrhines.

Abstract Transpositions of Alu sequences, representing the most abundant primate short interspersed elements (SINE), were evaluated as molecular cladistic markers to analyze the phylogenetic affiliations among the primate infraorders. Altogether 118 human loci, containing intronic Alu elements, were PCR analyzed for the presence of Alu sequences at orthologous sites in each of two strepsirhine, New World and Old World monkey species, Tarsius bancanus, and a nonprimate outgroup. Fourteen size-polymorphic amplification patterns exhibited longer fragments for the anthropoids (New World and Old World monkeys) and T. bancanus whereas shorter fragments were detected for the strepsirhines and the outgroup. From these, subsequent sequence analyses revealed three Alu transpositions, which can be regarded as shared derived molecular characters linking tarsiers and anthropoid primates. Concerning the other loci, scenarios are represented in which different SINE transpositions occurred independently in the same intron on the lineages leading both to the common ancestor of anthropoids and to T. bancanus, albeit at different nucleotide positions. Our results demonstrate the efficiency and possible pitfalls of SINE transpositions used as molecular cladistic markers in tracing back a divergence point in primate evolution over 40 million years old. The three Alu insertions characterized underpin the monophyly of haplorhine primates (Anthropoidea and Tarsioidea) from a novel perspective.

Our understanding of locomotor evolution in anthropoid primates has been limited to those taxa for which good postcranial fossil material and appropriate modern analogues are available. We report the results of an analysis of semicircular canal size variation in 16 fossil anthropoid species dating from the Late Eocene to the Late Miocene, and use these data to reconstruct evolutionary changes in locomotor adaptations in anthropoid primates over the last 35 Ma. Phylogenetically informed regression analyses of semicircular canal size reveal three important aspects of anthropoid locomotor evolution: (i) the earliest anthropoid primates engaged in relatively slow locomotor behaviours, suggesting that this was the basal anthropoid pattern; (ii) platyrrhines from the Miocene of South America were relatively agile compared with earlier anthropoids; and (iii) while the last common ancestor of cercopithecoids and hominoids likely was relatively slow like earlier stem catarrhines, the results suggest that the basal crown catarrhine may have been a relatively agile animal. The latter scenario would indicate that hominoids of the later Miocene secondarily derived their relatively slow locomotor repertoires.

Fourth molars are not common in the anthropoidea. Orangutans possess the highest frequencies (7-13%) while many genera in the suborder lack the fourth molars. A review of the incidence of M4’s in the Anthropoidea is presented and a description of the ontogeny of M4 in Macaca nemestrina is described and offered as an explanation of the development of M4’s in this taxon.

Differential psychologists rightly identified evolutionary theory as a unifying framework for explaining the origins and persistence of individual differences in a wide array of human psychological characteristics. Psychological diversity occurs on multiple levels, including between species, populations, generations, and individuals. Each level reveals the outcome of evolutionary processes at different temporal scales. I embrace a range of methods and results from quantitative and population genetics, developmental evolution, and phylogenetically grounded comparative psychology to explore how personality evolves in humans and nonhuman primates. At the level of species, I compared personality structure derived from rater assessments for four species of macaques and found a consistent, core set of personality dimensions (Dominance, Confidence, and Friendliness) describing these species. At the population level, I studied the relationship in humans between fertility/longevity trade-offs and the average personality of a country and found that Neuroticism and Agreeableness exhibit adaptively plasticity to life-history conditions. At the level of families, I estimated the quantitative genetic structure of personality in orang-utans and found that, like humans, a large portion of the phenotypic variance was explained by non-additive genetic effects. I examined between generation changes in personality by testing whether personality traits in humans are genetically correlated with fitness and found that in modern environments personality evolves very slowly. Finally, I translated current conceptual models of biological reactivity and stress response into mathematical models of developmental evolution and determined that evolution would select highly resilient phenotypes but that variation could be maintained by skew in the distribution of underlying genetic factors. From these results I broadly conclude that primate personality structure is generally conserved among species, mean personality levels change only very slowly between human generations, and that this evolution results in a genetic basis of personality that is characterized by epistasis. The evolution of individual differences has much to gain from the rigorous application of evolutionary methodology.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2008.
The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on August 13, 2009) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study addresses the problem of Blue Crane (Anthropoides paradiseus) collisions with power lines in the Overberg region, home to approximately 50% of South Africa's national bird's global population. The low visibility of power lines against the landscape is considered to be the major cause of collisions. These claim at least 20 birds annually, which is a considerable loss to a vulnerable species. For this study, expert knowledge of the Blue Cranes' biology, general behaviour and use of its habitat were compiled. These were then translated into rules that were integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) to establish a predictive model, which attempts to identify and quantify risk power lines that Blue Cranes are most likely to collide with. The criteria that were considered included landscape proximity of power lines to water bodies arid congregation sites, land cover, power lines orientation in relation to predominant wind directions (North Westerly and South Easterly) and visibility of the power lines against the landscape. The power lines were ranked as highest, high, medium, low and no risk. It is recommended that this classification be used to prioritize the proactive marking of power lines with bird flappers in order to reduce collisions. The results show that 27% of the power lines in the study area pose the highest risk and should therefore be marked immediately. The power lines classified as high (1%), medium (28%) and low risk (21 %) should be marked over short, medium and long term, respectively .. The study demonstrated the potential of GIS in the conservation of Blue Crane. The GIS model developed in this study can be applied in areas of similar habitat such as the Swartland or with some modifications in a slightly different habitat such as the Karoo. It is envisaged that the results of this study will be of great value to the ESKOM (South African Electricity Commission) and Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) Partnership and conservation authorities in the effort to save the Blue Crane.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het die probleem van botsings deur Bloukraanvoëls met kraglyne in die Overberg-omgewing van die Wes-Kaap ondersoek. Die Overberg-omgewing huisves ongeveer 50% van Suid Afrikaanse nasionale voël se wêreldbevolking van Bloukraanvoëls, en aangesien kraglyne normaalweg nie maklik sigbaar is teen die landskapsagtergrond nie, verhoog dit, tesame met die biologiese eienskappe van Bloukraanvoëls, die waarskynlikheid dat die voëls met kraglyne sal bots. Hierdie botsings met kraglyne eis minstens 20 Bloukraanvoëls per jaar, wat 'n aansienlike en beduidende aantal vir 'n kritiese bedreigde spesie is. Die studie het gepoog om spesialiskennis oor Bloukraanvoël-biologie, algemene gedrag en habitatgebruik, om te sit in 'n stel reëls, wat in 'n Geografiese Inligtingstelsel (GIS) geïntegreer is om 'n voorspellingsmodel te bou. Hierdie voorspellingsmodel is aangewend om kraglyne wat 'n hoë risiko vir Bloukraanvoëls inhou, te identifiseer en die waarskynlikheid vir botsings te kwantifiseer. Die model aanvaar dat die volgende omgewingsfaktore in die Overberg-omgewing verband hou met die waarskynlikheid van botsings, naamlik: die nabyheid van kraglyne aan waterliggame of gebiede waar voëls saamtrek, die voorkoms van natuurlike veld, die heersende windrigtings (Noordwes en Noordoos) en lae sigbaarheid van kraglyne teen die donker landskapsagtergrond. Die geïdentifiseerde kraglyne is as eerste-, tweede, derde. en vierderangse prioriteit geprioritiseer om as riglyn te dien vir die proaktiewe aanbring van flappers (wat dit ten doel het om voëlbotsings te verminder) deur ESKOM. Die studie het bevind dat 27% van die kraglyne in die Overberg-omgewing eersterang prioriteite is, en dat hierdie kraglyne onmiddellik gemerk sal moet word. Die tweederang prioriteit kraglyne (1%) saloor die mediumtermyn gemerk word, terwyl die derderangse prioriteit kraglyne (28%) oor die langtermyn gemerk sal word. Die vierde prioriteit kraglyne (21 %) kon oor die langertermyn gemerk word. Die studie het die omvang van die probleem, sowel as die rol van GIS in die bewaring van die Bloukraanvoëls beklemtoon. Die GIS-model wat in die studie ontwikkel en gebruik is, kan in soortgelyke gebiede soos die Swartland, of in ietwat verskillende omgewings soos die Karoo getoets word, met die doelom die habitatvoorkeure van Bloukraanvoëls beter te verstaan en navorsers te help om 'n beter begrip van die model te ontwikkel en sodoende die resultate te verbeter. Dit word voorsien dat hierdie studie en verslag baie belangrik sal wees vir die ESKOM-EWT Vennootskap en ander betrokke bewaringsorganisasies in 'n poging om Bloukraanvoël-bewaring aan te help.

Els primats catarrins s’originaren a l’Àfrica durant l’Oigocè. A més dels cercopithecoïdeus i els hominoïdeus, inclouen diversos llinatges del Miocè de l’Àfrica i Euràsia. Les seves relacions filogenètiques són controversides a causa del registre fòssil incomplet, l’abundant homoplàsia, i l’evolució en mosaic. La identifiació d’àrees anatòmiques no gaire proclius a l’homoplàsia, com els canals semicirculars (CSs) de l’orella interna, és crucial per inferir la filogènia dels catarrins extints. Aquesta tesi explora la utilitat dels CSs per inferir la filogènia dels antropoïdeus, i especialment dels catarrins miocens. Els objectius específics inclouen: (1) testar la idoneïtat de diferents aproximacions de morfometria geomètrica tridimensional (3DGM); (2) quantificar el senyal filogenètic inclòs en la morfologia dels CSs i identificar-hi caràcters susceptibles de ser analitzats cladísticament; i (3) testar hipòtesis filogenètiques alternatives per als catarrins miocens d’Europa (pliopitecoïdeus i hominoïdeus). Els mètodes es fonamenten en escanejos de microtomografia computada i 3DGM estàndard basada en landmarks, així com una innovadora aproximació alternativa basada en deformació (sense landmarks). Les dades de forma s’analitzaren mitjançant regressions (al·lomètriques) bivariants i anàlisis multivariants (anàlisi de components principals entre groups), juntament amb mètodes informats filogenèticament (filomorfoespai amb reconstrucció de nodes ancestrals, índexs cladístics), mesures de senyal filogenètic (λ de Pagel i K de Blomberg), i anàlisi de clústers. Els resultats es proporcionen en tres articles publicats, que posteriorment són discutits amb relació a la bibliografia i les perspectives de futur. El primer article analitza els patrons de variació en la forma dels CSs en els catarrins actuals i en testa la utilitat per fer inferències filogenètiques en hominoïdeus extints. Els altres dos articles testen hipòtesis filogenètiques alternatives per al pliopitecoïdeu Epipliopithecus i els driopitecins Hispanopithecus i Rudapithecus. S’arriba a les següents conclusions: (1) La 3DGM basada en deformació captura adequadament la variació en la forma dels CSs i elimina els biaixos de la 3DGM estàndard, que depèn del disseny subjectiu del protocol de landmarks. (2) La forma dels CSs inclou un fort senyal filogenètic i discrimina entre els principals clades d’antropoïdeus i, fins i tot, entre els gèneres d’hominoïdeus, i és per tant potencialment útil per testar hipòtesis filogenètiques per als tàxons extints. (3) La reconstrucció dels morfotips ancestrals permet la definició de diversos caràcters dels CSs potencialment sinapomòrfics per als catarrins corona, els hominoïdeus corona, i els homínids corona. Aquesta darrers són els més distintius, deut a les seves proporcions volumètriques robustes. (4) La morfologia dels CSs del pliopitecoïdeu Epipliopithecus confirma l’opinió àmpliament sostinguda que aquest tàxon s’interpreta més parsimoniosament com un catarrí basal més derivat que els propliopitecoïdeus que no pas com un hominoïdeu (com suggerien alguns estudis recents). (5) L’enigmàtic antropomorf Oreopithecus presenta un mosaic de característiques dels CSs primitives i derivades, que suggereixen un estatus d’hominoïdeu basal juntament amb l’adquisició independent d’algunes sinapomorfies dels homínids. (6) La morfologia dels CSs dels driopitecins Hispanopithecus i Rudapithecus confirma que són gèneres de grans antropomorfs diferents, però no afavoreix de manera conclusiva un estatus d’homínid o d’hominí basals, perquè els antropomorfs africans són en gran mesura plesiomòrfics amb relació als orangutans, més derivats. (7) Aquesta tesi és el primer estudi de la morfologia dels CSs en els antropoïdeus mitjançant 3DGM basada en deformació. Confirma el potencial dels CSs per fer inferències filogenètiques en catarrins miocens. Aquestes mètodes s’haurien d’estendre a la còclea i els ossicles de l’orella mitjana per contribuir encara més a les anàlisis cladístiques dels catarrins actuals i fòssils.
“Los primates catarrinos se originaron en África durante el Oligoceno. Además de los cercopitecoideos y los hominoideos, incluyen varios linajes del Mioceno de África y Eurasia. Sus relaciones filogenéticas son controvertidas a causa del registro fósil incompleto, la abundante homoplasia, y la evolución en mosaico. La identificación de áreas anatómicas no muy proclives a la homoplasia, como los canales semicirculares (CSs) del oído interno, es crucial para inferir la filogenia de los catarrinos extintos. Esta tesis explora la utilidad de los CSs para inferir la filogenia de los antropoides, y especialmente los catarrinos miocénicos. Los objetivos específicos incluyen: (1) testar la idoneidad de diferentes aproximaciones de morfometría geométrica tridimensional (3DGM); (2) cuantificar la señal filogenética presente en la morfología de los CSs e identificar caracteres susceptibles de ser analizados cladísticamente; y (3) testar hipótesis filogenéticas alternativas para los catarrinos miocénicos de Europa (pliopitecoideos y hominoideos). Los métodos se basan en escaneos de microtomografía computarizada y 3DGM estándar basada en landmarks, así como una innovadora aproximación alternativa basada en deformación (sin landmarks). Los datos de forma se analizaron mediantes regresiones alométricas bivariantes y análisis multivariantes (análisis de componentes principales entre grupos), junto con métodos informados filogenéticamente (filomorfoespacio y reconstrucción de nodos ancestrales, índices cladísticos), medidas de señal filogenética (λ de Pagel y K de Blomberg), y análisis de clúster. Los resultados se proporcionan en tres artículos publicados, que posteriormente son discutidos en relación con la bibliografía y las perspectivas de futuro. El primer artículo analiza los patrones de variación en la forma de los CSs en los catarrinos actuales, y testa su utilidad para realizar inferencias filogenéticas en hominoideos extintos. Los otros dos artículos testan hipótesis filogenéticas alternativas para el pliopitecoideo Epipliopithecus y los driopitecinos Hispanopithecus y Rudapithecus. Se llega a las siguientes conclusiones: (1) La 3DGM basada en deformación captura adecuadamente la variación en la en la forma de los CSs y elimina los sesgos de la 3DGM estándar, que dependen del diseño subjetivo del protocolo de landmarks. (2) La forma de los CSs incluye una fuerte señal filogenética y discrimina entre los principales clados de antropoides e, incluso, entre los géneros de hominoideos, y es por lo tanto potencialmente útil para testar hipótesis filogenéticas para los taxones extintos. (3) La reconstrucción de los morfotipos ancestrales permite la definición de varios caracteres de los CSs potencialmente sinapomórficos para los catarrinos corona, los hominoideos corona, y los homínidos corona. Estos últimos son los más distintivos debido a sus proporciones volumétricas robustas. (4) La morfología de los CSs del pliopitecoideo Epipliopithecus confirma la opinión ampliamente sostenida que este taxón se interpreta más parsimoniosamente como un catarrino basal más derivado que los propliopitecoideos que como un hominoideo (como sugerían algunos estudios recientes). (5) El enigmático antropomorfo Oreopithecus presenta un mosaico de características de los CSs primitivas y derivadas, que sugieren un estatus de hominodeo basal junto con la adquisición independiente de algunas sinapomorfías de los homínidos. (6) La morfología de los CSs de los driopitecinos Hispanopithecus y Rudapithecus confirma que son géneros distintos de grandes antropomorfos, pero no favorece conclusivamente un estatus de homínido o de hominino basales, porque los grandes antropomorfos africanos son en gran medida plesiomórficos con relación a los orangutanes, más derivados. (7) Esta tesis es el primer estudio de la morfología de los CSs en los antropoides mediante 3DGM basada en deformación. Confirma el potencial de los CSs para realizar inferencias filogenéticas en catarrinos miocénicos. Estos métodos deberían extenderse a la cóclea y los huesecillos del oído medio para contribuir aún más a los análisis cladísticos en catarrinos actuales y fósiles.
Catarrhine primates originated in Africa by the Oligocene. Besides cercopithecoids and hominoids they include several lineages from the Miocene of Africa and Eurasia. Their phylogenetic relationships are controversial due to their incomplete fossil record, abundant homoplasy, and mosaic evolution. The identification of anatomical areas not very prone to homoplasy, such as the inner ear semicircular canals (SCs), is crucial for inferring the phylogeny of extinct catarrhines. The present dissertation explores the utility of SCs for phylogenetic inference among anthropoids, and particularly Miocene catarrhines. Specific aims include: (1) testing the suitability of different three-dimensional geometric morphometric (3DGM) approaches; (2) quantifying the phylogenetic signal embedded in SC morphology and identifying characters amenable to cladistic analysis; and (3) testing competing phylogenetic hypotheses for European Miocene catarrhines (pliopithecoids and hominids). The methods rely on microcomputed tomography scans and landmark-based standard 3DGM, as well as an innovative deformation-based (landmark-free) alternative approach. Shape data were analyzed by means of bivariate (allometric) regressions and multivariate analyses (between-group principal component analysis), coupled with phylogenetically-informed methods (phylomorphospace with ancestral node reconstruction, cladistic indices), metrics of phylogenetic signal (Pagel’s λ and Blomberg’s K), and cluster analysis. The results are provided in three published articles, which are subsequently discussed in relation to the literature and prospects for the future. The first article analyzes patterns of SC shape variation in extant catarrhines and tests its utility for making phylogenetic inferences in extinct hominoids. The remaining two articles test alternative phylogenetic hypotheses in the pliopithecoid Epipliopithecus and the dryopithecines Hispanopithecus and Rudapithecus. The following conclusions are reached: (1) Deformation-based 3DGM adequately captures SC shape variation and eliminates biases of standard 3DGM that depend on the subjective design of the landmarking protocol. (2) SC shape embeds strong phylogenetic signal and discriminates among major anthropoid clades and even extant hominoid genera, thus being potentially useful to test phylogenetic hypotheses for extinct taxa. (3) The reconstruction of ancestral morphotypes enables the definition of several characters of the SCs potentially synapomorphic for crown catarrhines, crown hominoids, and crown hominids. The latter are most distinctive due to their stout volumetric proportions. (4) The SC morphology of the pliopithecoid Epipliopithecus confirms the widely held view that this taxon is most parsimoniously interpreted as a stem catarrhine more derived than propliopithecoids, rather than a hominoid (as suggested by some recent studies). (5) The enigmatic ape Oreopithecus displays a mosaic of primitive and derived SC features suggestive of a stem hominoid status coupled with the independent acquisition of some hominid synapomorphies. (6) The SC morphology of the dryopithecines Hispanopithecus and Rudapithecus confirms they are distinct great ape genera, but does not conclusively favor a stem hominid vs. hominine status, because African apes are largely plesiomorphic as compared with the more derived orangutans. (7) This dissertation is the first study devoted to the SC morphology among anthropoids by means of deformation-based 3DGM. It confirms the potential of SCs for phylogenetic inference in Miocene catarrhines. These methods should be extended to the cochlea and middle ear ossicles to further contribute to cladistic analyses of extant and fossil catarrhines.
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Programa de Doctorat en Biodiversitat