Question

Robert Sussman's angiosperm radiation hypothesis is based on the finding that

a. the first primates preyed on small insects called angiosperms.
b. fruit was a newly available food source in the Cenozoic era.
c. None of the choices is correct.
d. primate evolution was jump-started by the elongation of the radii (the lower arm bones) necessary for swinging through the trees.

Answer 1

Robert Sussman's angiosperm radiation hypothesis posits that the key traits of primates developed in response to the availability of fruits from flowering plants, known as angiosperms, which became abundant in the Cenozoic era.

Step-by-step explanation:

Robert Sussman's angiosperm radiation hypothesis is based on the finding that b. fruit was a newly available food source in the Cenozoic era.

According to the angiosperm radiation hypothesis, the basic primate traits developed in coevolution with the rise of flowering plants, or angiosperms. These plants provide various resources like nectar, seeds, and fruits, which were new food sources for the primates during the Cenozoic era. Consequently, primates evolved traits favorable for exploiting these resources, such as forward-facing eyes for better depth perception and grasping extremities to handle fruits amidst the trees. The diversification of angiosperms was accompanied by the evolution of major groups of birds and mammals, including primates.

Furthermore, the hypothesis suggests a coevolutionary relationship between primates and flowering plants, as the resources provided by angiosperms likely influenced primate evolution. Notably, this hypothesis contrasts with other theories such as the visual predation hypothesis, which associates primate adaptations primarily with insect hunting.