Section VIII: Anthropology Science Center, Room 308 Terry G. Powis, Presiding‪.‬

7:45 THE EVOLUTION OF SOCIAL ORGANIZATION: TESTING CULTURAL HYPOTHESES OF SOCIAL EVOLUTION ON A CAPTIVE LEMUR CATTA POPULATION, Vicki Ina F. Gloer*, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144. A number of evolutionary theories have been advanced based on diet and reproduction needs. This has been particularly true of research into the evolution of social organization in primates. A study was conducted of a captive population of Lemur catta residing at Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta. Georgia, to discover if theories regarding the evolution of social behavior are supported in populations where competition for food and mates does not exist. The captive Lemur catta could be expected to develop more individualistic behaviors if nutritional and reproductive competition is the primary reason for the development of group living. The results of the study demonstrated that captive Lemur catta continue to exhibit social behavior despite the fact that there is no need to compete for limited food resources or potential mates. Recent research into physiological causes for the evolution of social organization in primates may explain these results and further research of captive primate populations is suggested. 8:00 RECONSTRUCTING THE DIET OF PARAPAPIO JONESI FROM TWO PLIO-PLEISTOCENE SITES: STERKFONTEIN AND SWARTKRANS, SOUTH AFRICA, Edgar R. Reyes* and Frank L. Williams, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303. Parapapio jonesi, a small baboon-like monkey, is known from the Pliocene cave of Sterkfontein as well as the Pleistocene deposits of Swartkrans. The aim of this study is to establish whether the diet is broadly similar between the two, or whether Parapapio jonesi from Sterkfontein (n = 8) and Swartkrans (n = 4) are actually more similar to their counterparts at Sterkfontein (Parapapio broomi, n = 7) and Swartkrans (Dinopithecus ingens, n = 7) respectively. Diet was inferred by counting dental microwear features, such as small, large and puncture pits, and fine, coarse and hypercoarse scratches, within a 0.4 by 0.4 mm ocular reticle using a low-magnification stereomicroscope (35x) and an external light source. The microwear scars were counted twice and averaged before ANOVA and Least Square Means were calculated. Although ANOVA do not significantly differentiate the four groups, F values greater than one exist for small pits, large pits and fine scratches demonstrating substantial between group variation for these features. Least Square Means show broad similarities for small and large pits, and coarse scratches between the Parapapio jonesi specimens from Sterkfontein and Swartkrans. Parapapio jonesi from Swartkrans exhibits fewer fine scratches and heavy microwear features than Pp. jonesi from Sterkfontein, indicating fewer grasses and hard objects were consumed by the specimens from Swartkrans. If indeed Parapapio jonesi from Sterkfontein and Swartkrans represent the same species, then a dietary shift must have occurred as seeds became less abundant and more specialized grass consumers, such as Dinopithecus ingens, evolved in the Pleistocene.