Final answer:
During the Miocene and Tertiary periods, the global climate changes had a significant impact on primate evolution. The warm and humid climate of these periods provided favorable conditions for mammalian evolution and the emergence of primates. This led to the development of unique characteristics, such as larger brains and eyes, and smaller muzzles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The global climate changes during the Miocene epoch had a significant impact on primate evolution. During this period, Earth's climate was generally warm and humid, which allowed mammals to evolve and primates to emerge. The evolution of primates during this time is characterized by larger brains, larger eyes, and smaller muzzles. The increase in temperature resulted in a greater diversity of plants, providing more food for mammals and their prey, which further contributed to the evolution of primates.
The Tertiary Period, which occurred during the same time span, also played a role in primate evolution. The generally warm and humid climate of the Tertiary Period allowed mammals to fill different ecological niches and led to the development of modern rain forests and grasslands. This created favorable conditions for the evolution and diversification of primates.
In conclusion, the global climate changes during the Miocene and Tertiary periods provided the environmental conditions necessary for the evolution and diversification of primates. The warm and humid climate allowed mammals to thrive and fill various ecological niches, leading to the emergence of primates with distinct characteristics.