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Crash Course in Primatology Trivia Quiz

A quick look at the fascinating field of primatology, including topics such as primate characteristics, taxonomy, and special species.

A multiple-choice quiz by Chumsy17. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Chumsy17

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
340,025

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
231

Last 3 plays: Guest 2 (6/10), Trivia_Fan54 (7/10), Guest 24 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of these primates is capable of recognizing themself in a mirror? Hint

Capuchin monkey

Baboon

Pig-tailed macaque

Bonobo

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Question 2 of 10

2. "To endow animals with human emotions has long been a scientific taboo. But if we do not, we risk missing something fundamental, about both animals and us."

Which famous primatologist, who studies mainly chimpanzees, bonobos, macaques and capuchin monkeys, said this? Hint

Alejandro Estrada

Frans de Waal

Linda Fedigan

Carel van Schaik

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Question 3 of 10

3. Prosimians have two special physical features that are specifically for grooming purposes. What are they? Hint

Tooth comb and grooming claw

Brush claw and scratching tooth

Grooming tooth and claw comb

Scratching claw and tooth brush

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which two species of Platyrrhine are the only primates with truly prehensile tails? Hint

Spider monkey and owl monkey

Ring-tailed lemur and crowned lemur

Ring-tailed lemur and collared lemur

Spider monkey and howler monkey

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which of these is NOT a characteristic of sexual swelling in primates? Hint

Brightly colored

Found only in New World monkeys

Found on males and females

Becomes more prominent when a female is in estrus

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of these species was listed as critically endangered in 1996, but was upgraded to endangered in 2003? Hint

Pygmy marmoset

White-handed gibbon

Aye-aye

Golden lion tamarin

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Question 7 of 10

7. Discovered in Ethiopia in the 1990s, and believed to be over four million years old, what name was given to this hominin fossil? Hint

Austrelopithecus sideba

Ardipithecus ramidus

Homo habilis

Austrelopithecus afarensis

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Question 8 of 10

8. The "Carolina Five", a group of black and white ruffed lemurs, were born in which place, which houses the largest collection of living prosimians? Hint

The South Carolina Zoo

The North Carolina Zoological Society

Duke Lemur Center

University of Phoenix Primate Center

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which of these is the closest relative to Pan troglodytes? Hint

Gibbon

Baboon

Bonobo

Gorilla

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Question 10 of 10

10. She is considered one of the pioneers in long-term primate studies, giving her study animals names such as David Greybeard, Flo, Frodo and Mr. McGregor. Who is she? Hint

Mary Leaky

Birute Galdikas

Dian Fossey

Jane Goodall

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of these primates is capable of recognizing themself in a mirror?

Answer: Bonobo

All of the great apes (humans, chimps, bonobos, gorillas and orangutans) have shown themselves capable of recognizing their own reflection in the mirror, but no monkey has ever done so; they react as if the reflection was another monkey.

2. "To endow animals with human emotions has long been a scientific taboo. But if we do not, we risk missing something fundamental, about both animals and us." Which famous primatologist, who studies mainly chimpanzees, bonobos, macaques and capuchin monkeys, said this?

Answer: Frans de Waal

Frans de Waal has written many books, some of which include:
"Peacemaking Among Primates"
"Chimpanzee Cultures"
"Bonobo: The Forgotten Ape"
"Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex Among Apes"
"Our Inner Ape"
"Primates and Philosophers: How Morality Evolved".

3. Prosimians have two special physical features that are specifically for grooming purposes. What are they?

Answer: Tooth comb and grooming claw

In prosimians, the middle bottom four teeth have fused together and jutted out to form a specialized comb for grooming. They also have a claw (on the rest of their fingers they have nails, like other primates) that is perfect for grooming and scratching. Some people call this the toilet claw.

4. Which two species of Platyrrhine are the only primates with truly prehensile tails?

Answer: Spider monkey and howler monkey

Platyrrhines are New World monkeys; that is, they live in Mexico, Central America, and South America; are all arboreal; are all active during the day (except the owl monkey); have a broad nose with side-facing nostrils, and have a dental formula of 2 incisors, 1 canine, 3 premolars, and 3 molars.

The spider monkey and the howler monkey also have dermatoglyphics, which is a "finger-print" on their tail.

5. Which of these is NOT a characteristic of sexual swelling in primates?

Answer: Found only in New World monkeys

Sex skin is found only in Catarrhines, which are the Old World monkeys and apes. Baboons, hamadrayas, and chimps are all examples of primates with sex skin.

6. Which of these species was listed as critically endangered in 1996, but was upgraded to endangered in 2003?

Answer: Golden lion tamarin

A highly successful reintroduction program allowed the wild population of golden lion tamarins to rebound.

7. Discovered in Ethiopia in the 1990s, and believed to be over four million years old, what name was given to this hominin fossil?

Answer: Ardipithecus ramidus

The finding of Ardipithecus ramidus (nicknamed Ardi) caused quite a stir in the anthropological world. The laboratory that discovered her believes she was the first habitual biped but, as with anything in science, there is much disagreement.

8. The "Carolina Five", a group of black and white ruffed lemurs, were born in which place, which houses the largest collection of living prosimians?

Answer: Duke Lemur Center

The Carolina Five were the first used in a reintroduction attempt. The DLC released more black and white ruffed lemurs, but they quit the program because the success wasn't great enough to warrant any more reintroductions.

9. Which of these is the closest relative to Pan troglodytes?

Answer: Bonobo

Pan troglodytes is the scientific name for the chimpanzee. The bonobo (at one point known as the pygmy chimpanzee) is Pan paniscus.

Baboons belong to the genus Papio, gorillas belong to the genus Gorilla, and gibbons belong to the genus Hylobates.

10. She is considered one of the pioneers in long-term primate studies, giving her study animals names such as David Greybeard, Flo, Frodo and Mr. McGregor. Who is she?

Answer: Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall is possibly one of the most famous primatologists in the world. She travels the world in her efforts to protect all animal life and the natural world at large.

Source: Author Chumsy17

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor rossian before going online.
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