Ecology and Evolution of Primates—Sensory Systems
A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 10
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue aims to advance understanding of the evolution of sensory systems (vision, hearing, taste, smell, and touch), with a particular focus on ecological morphology and the integration of soft tissue and skeletal anatomy.
The skull houses most of the primary sensory organs, the mouth, and the brain, making craniofacial morphology a central target of evolutionary selection. Moreover, the systems within the skull influence one another: the morphogenesis of the eye and orbit is directly affected by brain and facial growth; and orbital orientation—a trait shaped by ecological pressures—affects midfacial morphology, which provides the skeletal framework for olfactory tissues. Various aspects of cranial anatomy are also associated with life history, behavior, diet, body size, and ecology.
Understanding variation in cranial morphology among primates is a critical endeavor in evolutionary studies, especially given that craniodental remains dominate the primate fossil record. In humans, the evolution of cranial variation is of particular interest due to the key adaptations associated with brain size and shape in our lineage. Sensory systems, which govern how primates perceive and interact with their environments, likely played a central role in the coevolution of the brain and face in humans.
This Special Issue offers an opportunity to highlight new research on primate ecology and evolution by integrating studies of sensory systems with investigations of skeletal morphological evolution. We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that explore the evolution, development, and ecological significance of sensory systems in primates. Contributions that investigate the integration of soft tissue and skeletal anatomy, as well as studies examining cranial and sensory system variation in fossil and extant species, are especially encouraged. We also invite submissions that use novel methods or interdisciplinary approaches to shed light on how sensory systems and cranial morphology coevolved in response to ecological, behavioral, and developmental pressures.
Dr. Tesla A Monson
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- ecology
- evolution
- primates
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