Bi4290 Primatology

Faculty of Science
Spring 2024
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Barbora Pafčo, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. RNDr. Václav Vančata, CSc. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. RNDr. Václav Vančata, CSc.
Department of Anthropology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: Mgr. Barbora Pafčo, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Anthropology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Mon 19. 2. to Sun 26. 5. Mon 9:00–10:50 Bp1,01007
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 8 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The aim of the subject is to acquaint students with the field of primatology, especially with the status of human species within the primate order in terms of phylogeny, morphology, ecology and behavior.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course the students should be able to:
- explain the origin of primates;
- describe basic adaptive strategies of primates;
- list the taxonomy of recent primates (Prosimii, Tarsiiformes, Anthropoidea);
- define basic features of primate morphology, ecology and behavior;
- explain the importance of primatology for anthropology - explain the position of a human in the order of primates, and to compare man with other primates in terms of both physical and behavioral.
Syllabus
  • 1. Definition of order Primates. Introduction to taxonomy, ecology, biogeography of primates: Prosimii and Anthropoidea. Importance of primatology for understanding human evolution and adaptations.
  • 2. Phylogeny of primates. History and present-day conception of evolution of Primates.
  • 3. Galagonidae and Lorisidae, taxonomy, biogeography, morphology, social structure, behavior and ecology.
  • 4. Lemuroidea, taxonomy, biogeography, morphology, social structure, behavior and ecology.
  • 5. Platyrrhina. Callithricidae, Cebidae and Atelidae, taxonomy, biogeography, morphology, social structure, behavior and ecology.
  • 6. Catarrhina, definition, taxonomy, biogeography, morphology, social structure, behavior and ecology.
  • 7. Cercopithecoidea. Cercopithecidae and Colobidae. Cercopithecidae, taxonomy, biogeography, morphology, social structure, behavior and ecology.
  • 8 Colobidae , taxonomy, biogeography, morphology, social structure, behavior and ecology.
  • 9. Hominoidea. Hylobatidae and Hominidae (Ponginae, Paninae, Homininae), definition and taxonomy of particular groups, biogeography and ecology, basic adaptations. Hylobatidae (gibbons and siamangs) taxonomy, biogeography, morphology, social structure, behavior and ecology.
  • 10. Pongo, Gorilla and Pan (great apes), taxonomy, biogeography, morphology, social structure, behavior and ecology.
  • 11. Morphology of primates, body size and sexual dimorphism, teeth and jaws, digestive system, internal organs, skull, brain and perception, basic types of locomotion, behavior of primates, basic types of behavior.
  • 12. Ecology, reproduction and social structure, ecological niches, reproduction strategies and social structure, social structure and behavior, behavioral ecology of primates, ontogeny and life history, hormones and growth regulations.
  • 13. Excursion to zoological garden, presentation of student papers.
  • 14. Presentation of student papers.
Literature
    required literature
  • Vančata V. (2003): Primatologie I a II. Pedagogická fakulta Univerzity karlovy, Praha.
    recommended literature
  • Vančata V.. Paleonantropologie a evoluční antropologie . Praha: Universita Karlova - Pedagogická fakulta, 2012, 303 s. ISBN 978-80-7290-592-8.
  • Rowe N. (1996): The Pictorial Guide to the Living Primates. Pogonias Press, Charlestown.
  • GAISLER, Jiří. Primatologie pro antropology. Brno: Nadace Universitas Masarykiana, 2000, 80 s. ISBN 80-210-2461-5. info
  • VANČATA, Václav, Marina VANČATOVÁ and Jaroslav MALINA. Panoráma biologické a sociokulturní antropologie 10: Sexualita primátů. Editor: Jaroslav Malina. Brno (CZ): Nadace Universitas Masarykiana v Brně, nakladatelství a vydavatelství Nauma v Brně, 2002, 92 pp. Modulové učební texty pro studenty antropologie. ISBN 80-210-2865-3. info
    not specified
  • VANČATA, Václav and Jaroslav MALINA. Panoráma biologické a sociokulturní antropologie 13: Paleoantropologie - přehled fylogeneze člověka a jeho předků. Editor: Jaroslav Malina. Brno (CZ): Nadace Universitas Masarykiana v Brně, nakladatelství a vydavatelství Nauma v Brně, 2003, 212 pp. Modulové učební texty pro studenty antropologie. ISBN 80-210-3049-6. info
  • Strier, K. B. (2007): Primate Behavioral Ecology. Allyn and Bacon, NY.
  • Full versions of studying texts from the cycle Panoráma biologické a sociokulturní antropologie are available at http://anthrop.sci.muni.cz/mp.do?id=244&sKey1=AAAAADAAB
Teaching methods
Theoretical preparation in form of lectures, complemented with multimedia presentations (video, audio) and excursions to significant primate expositions (ZOO). The students elaborate a seminary paper on selected topic from primates' life.
Assessment methods
The students submit their seminary work, then the course is concluded with oral examination. Part of the exam consists of a discussion over the seminary paper. To pass the exam successfully the student must prove good knowledge of the issues discussed during lectures and in the required reading.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2008 - for the purpose of the accreditation, Autumn 2010 - only for the accreditation, Spring 2003, Spring 2004, Spring 2005, Spring 2006, Spring 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Autumn 2010, Spring 2012, Autumn 2011 - acreditation, spring 2012 - acreditation, Spring 2013, Autumn 2013, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2024, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2024/Bi4290