Primate Ecology, Biology, and Behavior

3 units

This course will provide a comprehensive overview of the order Primates by investigating behavioral adaptations, life history characteristics, physiology, ecology, geographic distribution, social structure, taxonomy, and evolution. The course will cover all of the primate groups: apes, monkeys, tarsiers, and strepsirhines (e.g., lemurs). The importance of primate ecology, biology, and behavior to the discipline of anthropology -- particularly how social and environmental factors may have shaped human evolution -- will be discussed. This course will take an evolutionary approach and include the discussion of natural selection and other forces of evolution. Intended for students who have already taken Anthro 150A and recommended for students who wish to take the more advanced 400-level courses on primates.