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Article: Venomous snakes may have helped in primates evolution
- Article from:
- The Hindustan Times
- Article date:
- July 21, 2006
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Report from the Asian News International brought to you by the Hindustan Times
Washington, July 21 -- Researchers at the University of California have said that the ability to spot venomous snakes might have played a major role in the evolution of monkeys, apes and humans.
Initial studies suggested that primates developed good vision, enlarged brains, and grasping hands and feet for accomplishing their reaching and grasping functions. These characteristics got evolved as primates started using their hands and eyes to grab insects and other small prey, or to handle and examine fruit and other foods.
But Lynne Isbell, Professor of Anthropology at UC Davis said it was something else. Primates ...