Final answer:
Primates, which include species like lemurs, monkeys, apes, and humans, are predominantly omnivorous with a preference for fruits. Humans, however, have a unique diet that includes more processed foods and meat. Primate dental structures have evolved to reflect these dietary habits, and their intelligence allows for tool use in gathering food.
Step-by-step explanation:
Primate Diet
The most common diet among primates is an omnivorous one, with a preference for fruit among many species. Unlike other primates who consume a variety of foods, humans have a diet that includes a significant amount of highly processed items, along with grains and vertebrate meat. Primates in general are adaptable in their habits, able to live in diverse environments and consume various kinds of foods, from plants to meats. Dietary preferences can differ based on habitat, with fruit consumption being particularly significant in certain environments for color vision adaptation. Primates also use tools to assist in food collection, reflecting their intelligence and dexterity.
Distinctive characteristics of primates related to their diet include teeth and jaw structures adapted to their specific eating habits. While our primate ancestors mainly consumed fruits, human diets have evolved to include cooked food, affecting our dental morphology. The primate order is divided into prosimians and anthropoids, with the former being smaller and often nocturnal, while the latter includes monkeys and apes who are usually more intelligent and socially complex.