Glossary of Key Terms

Chapter 4: Monkeys, Apes and Humans: The Modern Primates

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Ancestral trait
A characteristic that is shared widely, such as mammary glands in mammals, and is considered to have been shared by a common ancestor.

Arboreal
Tree-dwelling.

B

Binocular vision
Vision with increased depth perception from two eyes set next to each other allowing their visual fields to overlap.

Brachiate
To use the arms to move from branch to branch, with the body hanging suspended beneath the arms.

C

Clavicle
The collarbone.

Cranium
The brain case of the skull.

D

Derived trait
A characteristic shared narrowly among organisms that shows that organisms have a close evolutionary relationship.

E

Estrus
In primate females, the time of sexual receptivity during which ovulation takes place.

F

Foramen magnum
A large opening in the skull through which the spinal cord passes and connects to the brain.

H

Home range
The area within which a group of primates usually moves.

P

Pentadactyly
Possessing five digits (fingers and toes).

Prehensile
Having the ability to grasp.

S

Scapula
The shoulder blade.

Sexual dimorphism
Within a single species, the presence of marked anatomical differences between males and females.

Stereoscopic vision
Complete three-dimensional vision from binocular vision plus visual connections from each eye to both sides of the brain allowing nerve cells to integrate the images derived from each eye.

T

Tool
An object used to facilitate some task or activity. Although toolmaking involves intentional modification of the material of which it is made, tool use may involve objects either modified for some particular purpose or completely unmodified.