Falk, Dean : University at Albany / University of Vienna
Dean Falk is professor of anthropology at the University at Albany and honorary professor of human biology at
the University of Vienna. Since receiving her Ph.D. in biological anthropology from the University of Michigan
in 1976, her research has focused on early hominids, brain evolution, comparative neuroanatomy, and cognitive evolution
(including language origins). Research on cranial blood flow and australopithecine endocasts led Falk to develop
the "radiator theory" of brain evolution and to question the conventional interpretations of certain
fossils. Falk is the author of Braindance: New Discoveries about Human Origins and Brain Evolution (1992).
Review
"Falk's text is written in a highly effective and engaging style. It appears very well organized and does
a good job of covering many aspects of primate biology."
--John C. Mitani, University of Michigan
"Academically first-rate as well as a bestseller. . . . I am more convinced than ever of the need Dean's book."
--Jay R. Kaplan, Wake Forest University
Norton Web Site, December, 2001
Summary
Primate Diversity successfully synthesizes a thorough look at current primatology research while providing a
careful examination of a variety of species. This well-written, accessible text offers an extensive introduction
to the field, its methods, and the animals themselves.
Highlights of Primate Diversity
Balanced, Integrated Presentation
A balanced and in-depth introduction to primatology, Primate Diversity includes solid coverage of primate evolution,
ecology, and behavior, without overwhelming students with topics and details that are too technical for an undergraduate
audience.
Special Materials Highlighting Current Research
"In the Field" boxes featuring a researcher and his or her fieldwork provide interesting first-person
accounts of particular primate behaviors and research techniques, and give students a behind-the-scenes look at
how primate researchers do their work.
"Neural Notes" boxes discuss current research on how primate brains function. Topics include how primate
brains differ from those of other mammals, just how "smart" monkeys and apes really are, the neurological
basis of smell, and brain evolution in Old World monkeys.
Practical Pedagogy
Primate Diversity includes several elements that help students get the most out of their reading: Content outlines
begin each chapter; key terms are highlighted when first used and are included in a glossary at the end of the
text; and every chapter contains several "Review Question" sections (in the margin) that highlight key
concepts and facts for the reader. Answers
to the Review Exercises are available in PDF format. Viewing requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
1 The Basics of Primate Evolution
2 Methods and Theory for Studying Living Primates
3 Galagos, Lorises, and Tarsiers
4 Lemurs
5 Monkeys of the New World: The Callitrichines
6 Other Neotropical Monkeys
7 Old World Monkeys: The Leaf-Eating Colobines
8 Old World Cheek-Pouched Monkeys: The Shift to Terrestriality
9 Macaques and Savanna Baboons: Sexual Politics and Human
Evolution
10 Gibbons: The Lesser Apes
11 Orangutans: The Shy Ape
12 Gorillas: The Largest Primates of All
13 Our Cousins: The Chimpanzees
14 The Earliest Hominids
