Editing Primate (section)

===Sexual dimorphism===
{{Main|Sexual dimorphism in non-human primates}}
[[File:Silverback.JPG|thumb|right|Distinct sexual size dimorphism can be seen between the male and female gorilla.]]
[[Sexual dimorphism]] is often exhibited in [[simian]]s, though to a greater degree in Old World species (apes and some monkeys) than New World species. Recent studies involve comparing DNA to examine both the variation in the expression of the dimorphism among primates and the fundamental causes of sexual dimorphism. Primates usually have dimorphism in [[Body weight|body mass]]<ref>{{cite journal |author=Ralls, K. |year=1976 |title=Mammals in Which Females are Larger Than Males |journal=The Quarterly Review of Biology |volume=51 |issue=2 |doi=10.1086/409310 | pages=245–76 |pmid=785524|s2cid=25927323 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | author=Lindstedtand & Boyce | date=July 1985 | journal=The American Naturalist | volume=125 |pages=873 |doi = 10.1086/284385 |title = Seasonality, Fasting Endurance, and Body Size in Mammals | last2=Boyce | first2=Mark S. | issue=6| bibcode=1985ANat..125..873L | s2cid=84308684 }}</ref> and canine tooth size<ref>{{cite journal |author=Frisch, J. E. |year=1963 |title=Sex-differences in the canines of the gibbon (''Hylobates lar'') |journal = Primates |volume = 4 |issue = 2 |doi=10.1007/BF01659148 |pages=1–10|s2cid=189798134 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Kay, R. F. |year=1975 |title=The functional adaptations of primate molar teeth |journal=American Journal of Physical Anthropology |volume=43 |issue=2 |pages=195–215 |doi=10.1002/ajpa.1330430207 |pmid=810034}}</ref> along with [[pelage]] and skin color.<ref>{{cite book |author=Crook, J. H. |editor=Campbell, B. G. |year=1972 |chapter=Sexual selection, dimorphism, and social organization in the primates |title=Sexual selection and the descent of man |publisher=Aldine Transaction |pages=[https://archive.org/details/sexualselection00camp/page/246 246] |isbn=978-0-202-02005-1 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/sexualselection00camp/page/246}}</ref> The dimorphism can be attributed to and affected by different factors, including [[mating system]],<ref name="cheverud">{{cite journal |last1=Cheverud |first1=J. M. |last2=Dow |first2=M. M. |last3=Leutenegger |first3=W. |date=November 1985 |title=The quantitative assessment of phylogenetic constraints in comparative analyses: Sexual dimorphism in body weight among primates |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_evolution_1985-11_39_6/page/1335 |journal=Evolution |volume=39 |issue=6 |pages=1335–1351 |doi=10.2307/2408790 |pmid=28564267 |jstor=2408790}}</ref> size,<ref name="cheverud" /> habitat and diet.<ref name="leutenegger">{{cite journal |last1=Leutenegger |first1=W. |last2=Cheverud |first2=J. M. | year=1982 | title=Correlates of sexual dimorphism in primates: Ecological and size variables | journal = International Journal of Primatology | volume = 3 | issue = 4 | doi=10.1007/BF02693740 | pages=387–402|s2cid=38220186 | doi-access=free }}</ref>

Comparative analyses have generated a more complete understanding of the relationship between [[sexual selection]], [[natural selection]], and mating systems in primates. Studies have shown that dimorphism is the product of changes in both male and female traits.<ref name="plavcan">{{cite journal |author=Plavcan, J. M. |year=2001 |title=Sexual dimorphism in primate evolution |journal=American Journal of Physical Anthropology |volume=33 |pages=25–53 |doi=10.1002/ajpa.10011 |pmid=11786990|s2cid=31722173 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Ontogenetic scaling, where relative extension of a common growth trajectory occurs, may give some insight into the relationship between sexual dimorphism and growth patterns.<ref name="ohiggins">{{cite journal |last1=O'Higgins |first1=P. |last2=Collard |first2=M. |year=2002 |title=Sexual dimorphism and facial growth in papionine monkeys |journal=Journal of Zoology |volume=257 |issue=2 |pages=255–72 |doi=10.1017/S0952836902000857}}</ref> Some evidence from the fossil record suggests that there was [[convergent evolution]] of dimorphism, and some extinct [[hominid]]s probably had greater dimorphism than any living primate.<ref name="plavcan" />