Reconstructing Behavior in the Primate Fossil Record

by Plavcan, J. Michael

• ISBN13: 9780306466045
• ISBN10: 030646604X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-11-30
• Publisher: Plenum Pub Corp

Summary

This volume brings together a series of papers that address the topic of reconstructing behavior in the primate fossil record. Here is offered a review of broad issues related to reconstructing various aspects of behavior - such as diet and social systems - from very different types of evidence. For example: comparative analysis and adaptation, ontogenetic evidence, paleoenvironmental and paleo-community analysis, experimental functional analysis, and comparative socioecology. Hopefully, the reader will gain a perspective on the various types of evidence that can be brought to bear on reconstructing behavior, the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches, and, perhaps, new approaches to the topic. Authors review not only the types of evidence that can be used to reconstruct behavior, but also the limitations of the evidence, only emphasizing the weakness of behavioral reconstruction as a basis and inspiration for further research.

Table of Contents

Adaptation and Behavior in the Primate Fossil Record	p. 1
Functional Morphology and In Vivo Bone Strain Patterns in the Craniofacial Region of Primates: Beware of Biomechanical Stories about Fossil Bones	p. 43
On the Interface between Ontogeny and Function	p. 73
Dental Ontogeny and Life-History Strategies: The Case of the Giant Extinct Indroids of Madagascar	p. 113
A Comparative Approach to Reconstructing the Socioecology of Extinct Primates	p. 159
The Use of Paleocommunity and Taphonomic Studies in Reconstructing Primate Behavior	p. 217
Reconstructing the Diets of Fossil Primates	p. 261
Reconstructing Social Behavior from Dimorphism in the Fossil Record	p. 297
The Adaptations of Branisella boliviana, the Earliest South American Monkey	p. 339
Ecomorphology and Behavior of Giant Extinct Lemurs from Madagascar	p. 371
Conclusions: Reconstructing Behavior in the Fossil Record	p. 413
Subject Index	p. 429
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