Miocene Epoch End Environmental Changes Quiz

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What geological events occurred at the end of the Miocene epoch?

Eruption of several volcanoes worldwide

Expansion of deserts across the globe

Formation of the Alps, Himalayas, and East African mountain ranges (correct)

Creation of new islands in the Pacific Ocean

As a result of cooling temperatures at the end of the Miocene, what change occurred in the habitats?

Deserts expanded into new territories

Arctic regions became tropical paradises

Grasslands transformed into dense forests

Tropical rainforests transitioned into sparse, deciduous woodlands & grasslands (correct)

What selective pressures did species face during the Plio-Pleistocene era?

Transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments

Dealing with increased volcanic activity

Facing challenges due to rising sea levels

Adapting to a shift from warm to cooler temperatures (correct)

Why did monkeys thrive in both the New and Old Worlds under new conditions in the Miocene?

Climate/environment favored adaptive radiation and proliferation of monkey species Signup and view all the answers

Why did most apes and ape-like taxa go extinct at the end of the Miocene?

They were quite dependent on fruit, which was disappearing due to cooling temperatures Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason for the large gap between the first hominins and the last of the Miocene apes?

Sparse fossil records from 13-5mya Signup and view all the answers

What hypothesis explains the emergence of primates as adaptations for living in trees rather than on the ground?

Arboreal Hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

Which scientist was involved in proposing the Arboreal Hypothesis in the early 1900s?

Sir Grafton Elliot Smith Signup and view all the answers

What trait evolved in primates to enable leaping between trees with more accurate depth perception?

Convergent vision Signup and view all the answers

Which hypothesis posits that primate traits evolved for predation of small prey in arboreal settings?

Visual Predation Hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Arboreal Hypothesis challenged by the Visual Predation Hypothesis?

Due to the presence of claws in other mammals Signup and view all the answers

Why would primates possessing traits for catching small prey be in line with the Visual Predation Hypothesis?

To catch insects or smaller animals Signup and view all the answers

Why do predatory primates tend to rely more on their ears when hunting?

To detect prey accurately in dense forests Signup and view all the answers

What adaptation is explained by the Coevolution hypothesis in primates?

Grasping hands/feet for climbing trees Signup and view all the answers

Why are fruits significant according to the text?

They are essential for seed dispersal Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinguishing feature of Plesiadapiforms according to the text?

Petrosal bulla and tri-cusp incisors Signup and view all the answers

What was the climate like when the earliest group of potential primates appeared?

Cool and seasonal with some variation Signup and view all the answers

Why is the possession of auditory adaptations lacking in most primates, as per the text?

Due to their reliance on vision and not hearing for survival Signup and view all the answers