This comprehensive introduction demonstrates the theoretical perspectives and concepts that are applied to primate behavior, and explores the relevance of non-human primates to understanding human behavior. Using a streamlined and student-friendly taxonomic framework, King provides a thorough overview of the primate order. The chapters cover common features and diversity, and touch on ecology, sociality, life history, and cognition. Text boxes are included throughout the discussion featuring additional topics and more sophisticated taxonomy. The book contains a wealth of illustrations, and further resources to support teaching and learning are available via a companion website. Written in an engaging and approachable style, this is an invaluable resource for students of primate behavior as well as human evolution.
Introduction
1. The Primates: Meet Your Relatives
2. The Study of Primate Behavior
3. Primate Ecology and Behavior: Common Features
4. The Strepsirrhine Suborder
5. The Lorisiform Infraorder: Strepsirrhines in the Dark
6. Lorisiform Variation: Leapers and Creepers
7. The Lemuriform Infraorder: Island Refuge
8. Lemuriform Variation: The Night Life
9. Lemuriform Variation in the Light of Day
10. The Tarsioid Suborder: Common Features and Variation
11. The Anthropoid Suborder: Monkeys and Apes
12. The Platyrrhine Infraorder: New World Monkeys
13. Platyrrhine Variation: Atelids and Pitheciids
14. Platyrrhine Variation: Cebids
15. Cebines: Squirrel Monkeys and Capuchins
16. The Catarrhine Infraorder: Old World Monkeys and Apes
17. The Cercopithecoid Superfamily: Old World Monkeys
18. Cercopithecoid Variation: Leaf Eaters and Cheek Pouchers
19. A Cercopithecine Tribe: the Guenons
20. A Cercopithecine Tribe: the Papionins
21. Genus Papio: the Real Baboons
22. The Hominoid Superfamily: Apes Small and Large
23. Great Apes of Asia: Orangutans
24. Great Apes of Africa: Gorillas
25. Great Apes of Africa: Common Chimpanzees
26. Bonobos: Lightweight Chimpanzees
27. Human Origins: the Last Common Ancestor
28. Early Hominin Evolution: the Australopiths
29. Our Evolutionary Heritage: The Primate in Us
30. Primate Conservation: Will Any Be Left?
Biography
Glenn E. King is Professor Emeritus in the Department of History and Anthropology at Monmouth University, USA.
"King has produced a much needed, up to date, and highly readable undergraduate text. His lively and engaging book is a terrific introduction to the natural history of primates."
- W. Scott McGraw, Ohio State University
"This book is an excellent introduction for undergraduate students. The key steps of human evolution emerge against a background of adaptations observed in non-human primate societies. The book is comprehensive and up-to-date. It is easy to read thanks to the original and enjoyable writing style of the author. Recommended!"
- Giuseppe Donati, Oxford Brookes University
"Most importantly, the book is written in a cogent manner. Overall, it illustrates how humans understand the characteristics of non-human primates. Unlike other volumes that comprise chapters written by multiple authors, this volume benefits from a single voice and vision. Summing Up: Recommended."
- L. K. Sheeran, Central Washington University in CHOICE