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Geographic Variation in Primates

A Review with Implications for Interpreting Fossils

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Species, Species Concepts and Primate Evolution

Part of the book series: Advances in Primatology ((AIPR))

Abstract

Knowledge of geographic variation is fundamental to recognizing the kinds and numbers of both living and extinct primate species. This review focuses on geographic variation in the craniodental anatomy of living primates. We limit our attention to multivariate studies that used craniometric and/or odonto-metric data to investigate differences among demes, subspecies, and closely related species. Our intent is to document the nature of geographic variation in the skulls and teeth of living primates and, then, to discuss the problems and prospects of dealing with such variation among fossils. We begin with some general background observations about geographic variation and speciation in primates.

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  1. Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, 90033, USA

    Gene H. Albrecht & Joseph M. A. Miller

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  1. Gene H. Albrecht
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  1. Institute of Human Origins, Berkeley, California, USA

    William H. Kimbel

  2. State University of New York, Stony Brook, New York, USA

    Lawrence B. Martin

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Albrecht, G.H., Miller, J.M.A. (1993). Geographic Variation in Primates. In: Kimbel, W.H., Martin, L.B. (eds) Species, Species Concepts and Primate Evolution. Advances in Primatology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-3745-2_6

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