The document discusses differences and similarities between chimpanzees and bonobos. It notes that both species belong to the genus Pan and have an omnivorous diet. However, they differ in their social behaviors - chimpanzees form stronger male bonds while bonobos form stronger female bonds and engage in more sexual behavior. Chimpanzees also use tools like sticks to hunt, while bonobos have not been observed using tools. The document then discusses four evolutionary trends in primates identified by Clark: increased brain size, reduced sense of smell, forward-facing eyes for depth perception, and fewer teeth. Different scientists have proposed explanations for these trends, such as adaptation to tree living, nighttime insect predation

1. discussion board responses
anthropology 2 questions
Question #1 (Chimpanzees
and
Bonobos)
In this Chapter, you were introduces to primate classification
and taxonomy. After reading the sections on Chimpanzees and
Bonobos you will have seen some fundamental differences
between them. Discuss the differences and similarities of
Bonobos and Chimpanzees. Provide examples to support your
statements.
respond to these three posts / only five sentences long each
1.
Chimpanzees and Bonobos are species belonging to the genus
Pan and a taxonomy known as Hominins, the super family where
humans and apes belong. Both Bonobos and Chimps have the
same fluid structure, where temporary smaller groups form
within a larger community. When searching for food both
species eat plants and animals, having a widespread diet. To
live a primate life both Chimps and Bonobos must be flexible to
difficult circumstances, injuries, new foods, social
arrangements, and demographics. Although both species live

2. this life style they differ in some ways. First the location of
Chimpanzees is found in eastern and western Africa while
Bonobos are in central and south Africa. Bonobos are built with
shorter upper limbs and longer lower limbs, and a less rugged
build then Chimps. When Bonobos socialize, bonds between
females are strong and they play a big role in their society.
Also, females of this species are willing to mate and have a high
degree of sexual play between males and females. Differ to
Bonobos, Chimpanzees have stronger bonds within the males
and are not known for a high degree of sexual play. Lastly, how
both species survive and collect for food differs. Chimpanzees
make literal tools to help find food. For an example, they
prepare sticks to catch insects like termites and ants or leaf
sponges to retain water from tree hollows. Since they also eat
meat, male chimps hunt for it and kill it to share with the rest of
their community. Bonobos have never been observed hunting
for food with tools. Overall Chimpanzees are the most studied
ape and Bonobos are getting an increase of observation in the
wild and captivity.
2.
From observations of both Chimpanzees and Bonobos there
are some similarities and differences between the two.
Beginning with the similarities, Bonobos and Chimpanzees are
from the same genus. Another similarity is their omnivorous
diet of plant and animal substances. They general organization
of their social groups is similar in the fact that they both form
small, interchanging groups within a much larger group.
Despite the similarities in their group organizations, the
bonding patterns of the two species appear quite different. For
example, unrelated chimpanzee males can often be found
forming a group, whereas this is not commonly observed among
Bonobos. However, the relationships between Bonobo females,

3. and opposite gender relationships are much stronger than that of
Chimpanzees. This explains the greater role female Bonbos play
in their societies. Lastly, Chimpanzees are distinguishable by
their use of tools. They can be seen using sticks to catch
termites, or using rocks to break nut shells. No such practice is
seen among Bonobos.
Question #2 (Primate Evolution)
In your readings, you were introduced to patterns that exist in
primate evolution across time. What are 4 evolutionary trends
that primates have had since they broke away from the rest of
the mammalian class? What is believed to have contributed to
these trends from scientists? Provide examples, when possible,
to support your arguments.
respond to this post
1. Four evolutionary trends that have been traced overtime
since the first primates evolved away from their mammalian
ancestors was identified by W. E. Legos Clark (1963). The first
one is a change in the brain. The brain increased in size,
relative to body size, and more complexity of the neocortex.
Second, a reduction in the projection of the face and the
dependence on the sense of smell. Third, and increase trust on
the sense of sight, where the eyes relocated onto the front of the
face so the visual field overlapped, where depth and perception
was produced. Lastly, less teeth in the primates mouth. Clark
himself argued that these trends where caused from adaptation
to life in the trees. In contrast, Matt Cartmill (1972) argued the
“visual prediction hypothesis.” He suggested that these

4. evolutionary traits came from adaptation to feeding on insects at
the ends of tree branches in tropical forest. He also suggests
their vision improved because these primates fed at night and
relied on sight to catch their food. A third argue comes from
Robert Sussman (1991) and Katherine Milton (1993) that
switching from insect predation to consuming plant parts lead to
grasping of hands, color vision, larger brains, and more flexible
behavior. Not all primates were affected by these four
evolutions while some still are nocturnal and rely on smell
rather than sight.