Springer Primate Origins: Adaptations and Evolution (Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects)

This book provides a novel focus on adaptive explanations for cranial and postcranial features and functional complexes, socioecological systems, life history patterns, etc. in early primates. It further offers a detailed rendering of the phylogenetic affinities of such basal taxa to later primate clades as well as to other early/recent mammalian orders. In addition to the strictly paleontological or systemic questions regarding Primate Origins, the editors concentrate on the adaptive significance of primate characteristics. Thus, the book provides the broadest possible perspective on early primate phylogeny and the adaptive uniqueness of the Order Primates. Review From the reviews: "The outgrowth of a conference on the adaptive/phylogenetic aspects of the group’s origin, this book includes 23 chapters in four sections. … Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates through faculty/researchers." (E. Delson, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (2), 2007) "Primate Origins is a weighty tome, both literally and figuratively. … The book derives from an international symposium on primate origins … . Space prohibits me from elaborating further upon the numerous merits of this fine volume. It would make an excellent foundation for graduate-level seminars on primate origins. All 1.3 kg of it deserves to be read and pondered by serious students of primate evolution." (Chris Beard, International Journal of Primatology, Vol. 28, 2007) From the Back Cover This book updates, summarizes and synthesizes past and current research regarding the origin of the Order Primates. When did Primates arise? To what group of mammals are they most closely related? What is the functional and adaptive meaning of their constellation of derived characteristics? The papers in this volume examine hypotheses that have dominated our notions regarding early primate evolution and by coupling this with an emergent body of novel evidence due to new fossil discoveries and technological and methodological advances, provide a long overdue multidisciplinary reanalysis of the suite of derived life history, socioecological, neural, visual, circumorbital, locomotor, postural and masticatory specializations of the first primates. This integrative neontological and paleontological perspective is critical for understanding major behavioral and morphological transformations during the later evolution of higher primate clades. Primate Origins: Adaptations and Evolution is ideal for advanced undergraduates, graduate students and professionals in the fields of primatology, anthropology, mammalogy, and paleontology.