Primatology is the study of primates. It is a branch of biology and is closely related to physical anthropology, which is the primatology of genus Homo, especially Homo sapiens. The fields cross over in the study of the hominids, which includes all ancestors of man and the other African Apes.

Modern primatology is an extremely diverse science. It ranges from anatomical studies of primate ancestors and field studies of primates in their natural habitat, to experiments in animal psychology and ape language. It has cast an immense amount of light on basic human behaviors and ancient ancestry of these behaviors.

Key 20th-century primatologists include:

• Jane Goodall
• Dian Fossey
• (Birute Galdikas)

as well as other key researchers such as

• Karen Strier
• Frans de Waal
• Sherwood Washburn

and the multitude of others who have given their most important contributions to the science.

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External links

• World Directory of Primatologists
• Primatologist Biographies

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See also

• physical anthropology
• biology
• hominid