Anth 5081. Primate Ecomorphology
Wednesdays 3:00 – 5:30pm, 101 McMillan

Herman Pontzer
McMillan 119
Phone: 935-5292
hpontzer@artsci.wustl.edu

Office hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:30 – 5:00pm, or by appointment.

Books

Primate Origins (2006) by Matthew J. Ravosa and Marian Dagosto
The Primate Fossil Record (2002) by Walter C. Hartwig
Adaptation (1996) by Michael D. Rose and George V. Lauder

Course website: http://artsci.wustl.edu/~hpontzer/Courses/Anth5081.html
Check here for readings and updates!

Course Description
We will investigate the state of the science in primate ecomorphology, integrating current understanding of primate evolution, anatomy, and performance with that of primate ecology.  Emphasis will be on synthesizing primate biomechanics and ecology toward a better understanding of form/function/evolution relationships in living and extinct species. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

Grading

Participation………..25%
Presentation ………..25%
Term Paper..………..50%

Schedule

Jan 17. Why ‘ecomorphology’? And class business.

Jan 24. Form, function, evolution: Can adaptation ever be proven?
Adaptation 55 – 90; Losos et al. 2006; Arnold, 1983; Schmitt, 2003

Jan 31. Primate origins: the skeleton
PO 489 – 534; 535 – 581; 775 – 804; Soligo & Martin 2006

Feb 7. Primate origins: the brain and vision
PO 805 – 820; 233 – 256; Dominy & Lucas 2001; Cartmill 1974

Feb 14. Arboreality: anatomical form and locomotor function
PO 403 – 435; 329 – 380; Demes et al 1998

Feb 21. Terrestrial primates: 2D vs 3D
Isbell et al. 1998; PO 437 – 456; Fleagle 1977; Pontzer, in press

Feb 28. Chewing mechanics and feeding ecology[Project topics due]
PO 179 – 230; Ungar et al., 2005; Shellis et al. 1998; Marshall and Wrangham, in press

Mar 7. Life History and body size as an ecomorphological strategies
PO 583 – 624; Ravosa et al. AJPA 1993; Pontzer and Wrangham 2006;

Mar 14. Spring Break

Mar 21. Primate energetics
Garland 1983; Altmann & Samuels 1991; Crompton et al 1993 Primate Origins 703 - 773

Mar 28. AAPAs

Apr 4. Hominoid ecomorphology [Paper drafts due]
Pontzer & Wrangham, 2004; Hunt 1991; Pilbeam et al 1990; Doran 1997

Apr 11. Hominid origins: why bipedalism, and how?
Sockol et al. in prep; Rodman & McHenry, 1980; Nakatsukasa 2004

Apr 18. The Australopithecus controversy and the emergence and evolution of the genus Homo
Weaver & Steudel-Numbers, 2006 ; Stern 2000; also review Isbell et al. 1998

Apr 25. Presentations

May 1. Final papers due