ANTHROPOID PRIMATES
SKELETAL
In anthropoid primates, the orbits are more forward-facing, the braincase is larger, (Carroll).
In anthropoid primates, the sphenoid and ethmoid contribute to the enclosing of the orbit with bone (Carroll).
Anthropoid developed a shorter face (Carroll).
In anthropoid primates, the two dentary bones fused to form one solid lower jaw (Carroll).
Some molar features of plesiadapiforms are retained in primates (Carroll, p. 464). Catopithecus possesses several prosimian characteristics but is thought to be near the base of the anthropoids. Its upper central incisors are larger than the lateral incisors as in anthropoid primates. Although the lower central incisors are smaller than the lateral incisors (this is an adapid characteristic; see illustration below); the incisors are similar to those of anthropoids rather than prosimians (such as Arsinea) (Simons, 1995; Culotta, 1995)
Eocene primates developed a more grasping foot.
The size of the facial, hypoglossal, and trigeminal (motor portion) nerves increased in catarrhine primates relative to more primitive primates, and increased further in the great ape lineage. There is no difference in the sizes of these nerves between New World monkeys and prosimians (Sherwood, 2005). In monkeys and apes, the trigeminal nucleus is larger (Ariens, p. 401).
The somatosemsory cortex 1 has a complete mirror image in anthropoids (monkeys and apes) (Johnson, 1994).
The auditory cortices of humans and other primates are similar. Lesions in the auditory cortex can interfere with the ability of primates to distinguish between other primate vocalizations (or interfere with speech comprehension in humans). All anthropoid primates have a primary auditory field and surrounding secondary fields represented in their auditory cortex. In all anthropoids, there are connections between the auditory cortex and the frontal lobe (Wang, 2000). Speech involves a number of brain regions including Broca’s area, basal ganglia, inferior frontal cortex, dentate nucleus, and lateral cerebellar hemispheres, all of which are well developed in non-speaking primates (Sherwood, 2005).
In the ancestors of anthropoid primates (and tarsiers) 4 cell layers developed in the thalamic geniculate body, the lateral geniculate nucleus became more specialized, and the orientation of lateral geniculate nucleus became more ventral (Ankel-Simons, p. 182-90). The septum pellucidum developed, (Hassler, p. 398), there was a greater development of gyri (Ankel-Simons, p. 190) and large integration areas developed in all 4 lobes of brain (Ankel-Simons, p. 191)
In anthropoid primates, the optic areas were highly developed and the olfactory areas were reduced. The importance of the VNO was reduced (Linman, 2003; Liman, 1999). In the retina, cones outnumber rods and anthropoid primates (and tarsiers) no longer possess a tapetum lucidum (Ankel-Simons, p. 375-377). Anthropoid primates developed stereoscopic vision (Ankel-Simons, p. 190) and an enhanced sense of touch (Ankel-Simons, p. 190).
In the ancestors of anthropoid primates and tarsiers, the rhinarium was lost and the upper lips lost some of their attachments and became more free to move (Ankel-Simons, p.350).
Anthropoid primates possess ABO blood groups (some prosimians have B-like antigens) and the M blood antigen.
In male anthropoid primates, there was a reduction of penile spines (Stockey, 2002). The Y-specific DAZ cluster evolved since the divergence of new world monkeys and human lineages (Xu, 2001).
--Zinc Finger Protein 91 is expressed in all tissues but is expressed at the highest levels in T cells. The Zinc Finger Protein 91 Family includes Zinc Finger Proteins 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 104, 105, 108, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 118, 119, 120, and 122. They are all widely expressed but are most highly expressed in T lymphocytes (OMIM). On human chromosome 19p12-p13.1, there are more than 40 zinc finger genes of the ZNF91 gene family. Although these genes are not known from non-primates or from prosimians, they are known in all anthropoid primates. All anthropoid primates studies have a major cluster containing members of the ZNF91 family. The gene sequences of apes are most highly conserved (Belleford, 1995).
In the primate lineage, the η globin was mutated and became a pseudogene and the γ globin gene was duplicated in the lineage of anthropoid primates. In New World monkeys, the first gamma gene is a pseudogene while the second gamma gene is expressed in fetal development (Chiu, 1996; Meireles, 1995). In New World monkeys, the switch from γ to β globin occurs earlier than in Old World monkeys and apes (Johnson, 2002).
Although there is a mutation in the CAAT box of the γ-globin genes of Tarsiers, there is evidence to suggest that they are active (Meireles, 1999). Gene conversion occurred in which globin acquired exons from the adjacent globin gene. globin was duplicated and became the major family globin during fetal development (in other mammals, is expressed only during embryonic development and is expressed during fetal development). (Meireles, 1995; Chiu, 1996)