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5.3 process and analyse information from secondary sources to compare humans with other primates in terms of: care of young length of juvenile stage development of, and size of, social groups the development and use of tools communication systems and assess the evolutionary significance of the similarities and differences identified

process and analyse information from secondary sources to compare humans with other primates in terms of:

  • care of the young
  • length of juvenile stage
  • development of and size of, social groups
  • the development and use of tools
  • communication systems

and assess the evolutionary significance of the similarities and differences identified.

Red fronted lemurs (external website) Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Howler monkey (external website) Enchanted Learning
Baboons (external website) Amboseli Research project
Orangutan (external website) Enchanted learning
Gorillas (external website) About Gorillas. Click on Basic Gorilla Life and Gorilla Facts
Chimpanzees (external website) The Jane Goodall Institute
Social structure (external website) Palomar College

Useful information

Care of the young is shown in all groups of primates. Primate offspring are born helpless unlike most other mammal babies. They need a large amount of time and effort to ensure the survival of the young.

Length of the juvenile stage can last as long as 12 years in primates. During the long juvenile stage primates learn the rules of the social group they are living in.

Social groups are common in primates. Most primates are social animals who interact daily. Most tend to feed and move in groups. The different primate groups have different social groups.

The simplest group is the noyau which is a single female and her offspring. The male’s territory overlaps with several females but they do not live together. This type of group is common in lemurs and orangutans.

Monogamous groups consist of one male and one female and their offspring. This is seen in gibbons who do not have sexual dimorphism.

Polyandrous groups consist of a single breeding female and several males who help in the rearing of the young, for example, marmosets.

Polygynous groups consist of one male and many females with their offspring. These groups have well marked sexual dimorphism for example, gorillas where the male is much larger than the female.

Multimale/multifemale groups are large with much competition and fighting. There is usually a complex hierarchy within the group for example, baboons.

Fission/fusion groups exist in chimpanzees where groups merge and separate throughout the year. In chimpanzees many males (who are usually brothers) and female groups show this type of organisation.

Humans tend to live in family groups, usually monogamous but some cultures practice polygamy (polygynous). Some cultures have extended families such as grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins living together. Humans also often live in communities such as villages or cities.

Tool use is rare amongst non-human animals. Chimpanzees are known to make simple tools to gather food, for example, they will poke a stick in a termite mound. Some termites grab the stick, the chimp pulls the stick out and eats the termites. The only technology involved would be the choosing of the correct sized stick and stripping side branches off it. Humans are extraordinary toolmakers and users. They shape and develop tools, some extremely complex. This is assisted by the upright posture, the enlarged brain and advanced speech mechanisms.

Communication systems are used actively by primates. They communicate by body posture, facial expression and combinations of sounds. Humans have the greatest communication of the primates because of the complex speech patterns. They are also able to communicate using symbols such as writing. Today human communication has extended to telecommunication, including satellite communication around the world.

A summary of comparisons of some characteristics of some primates

Primate Care of young Length of juvenile period Social group Tools Communication

lemur

mothers care for young for 5 to 6 months, gestation 2-5 months

2 years

some lead solitary lives, some have large stable groups, some in fluid associations, and others in small grouping. Most lemurs show female dominance, unique in non-human primates.

no

scent markings and body language including tail waving

howler monkey

very little care by mothers but sibling females care for young, males sometimes assist

female 5 years, male 7 years

live in groups of 1-2 males and several females with their offspring (up to 16 in a group)

no

very loud vocal signals that can travel to about 10 kilometres

baboon

close relationship. gestation 6 months

5 to 6 years

multimale,multifemale

no

vocal signals

orangutan

close relationship, gestation 8.5 months

female 10 years, male 11-13 years

noyau -can also be referred to as dispersed polygyny with one male having a range that overlaps that of several female ranges

little

vocal signals

gorilla

very close- other females may assist, gestation 8.3 months

female 10 years, male 11-13 years

polygynous- one male mates with several females

little

complex vocal signals

chimpanzee

very close-older sisters often help with care of the infant, gestation 8.5 months

4-5 years

fission/fusion

yes

complex vocal signals and can learn symbols

human

very close- both parents look after young and other family members usually also help, gestation 9 months

12 years

family

yes

complex language and complex thought-therefore complex toolmaker and user