Did primates evolve from rodents?

  • Thread starter Dremmer
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In summary, primates did not directly evolve from rodents. We all evolved from a common ancestor, but the first known mammals were small and rodent-like creatures. The fossil record for primate evolution is incomplete due to the difficulty of finding fossils in forest environments.
  • #1
Dremmer
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Did primates evolve from rodents? I remember hearing that that was the case.
 
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  • #2
We all evolved from a common ancestor if that's what you mean, but I'm don't think it was a direct evolution from rodent to primate.
 
  • #3
Dremmer said:
Did primates evolve from rodents? I remember hearing that that was the case.
Perhaps you're thinking of reports of the first known mammals which were reported to be small and rodent like?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megazostrodon
 
  • #4
  • #6
Forest environments are not very conducive to making fossils, so the fossil record of primate evolution is very incomplete. There is a lot of room for speculation and theory, but only because there is so much left to learn.
 

1. Did primates evolve from rodents?

There is currently no scientific evidence to support the idea that primates evolved directly from rodents. While both primates and rodents are mammals, they belong to different orders and have distinct evolutionary histories.

2. What is the closest relative of primates?

The closest living relative of primates is the order Scandentia, which includes tree shrews. However, there is also evidence to suggest that primates may have shared a common ancestor with dermopterans (colugos) or with a group of extinct mammals called plesiadapiforms.

3. Is it possible that primates and rodents share a common ancestor?

Yes, it is possible that primates and rodents share a common ancestor. Both groups belong to the superorder Euarchontoglires, which also includes dermopterans and lagomorphs (rabbits, hares, and pikas). However, the exact evolutionary relationship between these groups is still debated among scientists.

4. How do scientists study the evolution of primates?

Scientists study the evolution of primates through a variety of methods, including genetic analysis, fossil evidence, and comparative anatomy. By examining the similarities and differences between different primate species, scientists can reconstruct the evolutionary history of this group of mammals.

5. What is the fossil record of primate evolution?

The fossil record of primate evolution is relatively sparse, as primates have a small and delicate skeletal structure that does not preserve well. However, there are several well-known fossil species, such as the extinct ape Proconsul and the early primate Darwinius, that provide important insights into the evolutionary history of primates.

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