The Primate Family Tree: The Amazing Diversity of Our Closest Relatives

Front Cover
Firefly Books, 2008 - Nature - 176 pages

Apes, monkeys, lemurs -- and other family members.

The Primate Family Tree is a beautiful and comprehensive resource on the subject of our animal relatives. Readers will find an abundance of up-to-date facts, review the latest research and conservation efforts, and discover the remarkable characteristics that all primates -- including humans -- share.

The book is structured according to the four main branches of the primate family tree and contains expert information on the natural history, characteristics and behavior of over 250 species, along with maps showing the ranges of the species. Some of the topics covered are:

  • Definition of a primate
  • Darwin's big idea, anthropological theories, DNA
  • The structure of the primate family tree
  • Distribution of species, including lorises and lemurs
  • Diet, habitat, life cycles, social structure, communication
  • Primate emotions
  • Primates as "gardeners of the forest"
  • Issues involving conservation, bush meat, civil war, habitat loss
  • Primate tourism: Does it help or hurt?

With its authoritative text, color photographs taken in the field, range maps and classification diagrams, The Primate Family Tree is a comprehensive reference on a subject that is vitally important to all humans.

From inside the book

Contents

Foreword
6
WHAT IS A PRIMATE?
9
Primate Characteristics
10
Copyright

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About the author (2008)

Ian Redmond, a former field assistant to Dian Fossey, is a wildlife biologist with a passion for apes and elephants. He is the chief consultant for the UNEP/ UNESCO Great Apes Survival Project, and the founder of the Ape Alliance. Jane Goodall is a primatologist, anthropologist and UN Messenger of Peace. She is renowned for her studies of chimpanzee social and family life in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania, over 45 years.

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