Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Microsmatic primates: reconsidering how and when size matters.

Timothy D Smith1, Kunwar P Bhatnagar

  • 1School of Physical Therapy, Slippery Rock University, PA 16057, USA. timothy.smith@sru.edu

Anatomical Record. Part B, New Anatomist
|July 28, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Primates are often considered microsmatic (reduced olfactory function), but this study questions the reliance on proportional measurements. Absolute measurements may offer a clearer understanding of olfactory capabilities across species.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Born this way: Does variation in perinatal limb bone morphology predict adult locomotor repertoire in primates?

Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)·2026
Same author

Development of the Jaws and Teeth in Mouse Lemurs.

American journal of primatology·2026
Same author

The sensory world of vertebrates.

Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)·2026
Same author

Functional microanatomy of nasal turbinals in bats.

Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)·2025
Same author

Terminology on human molariform teeth and the Commentary by Soares and colleagues.

Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)·2025
Same author

Introduction and review of cartilage and craniofacial growth.

Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)·2025

Area of Science:

  • Comparative anatomy
  • Neuroscience
  • Sensory biology

Background:

  • Primates are historically classified as microsmatic, possessing reduced olfactory function compared to other mammals.
  • This generalization is based on the proportional size of olfactory structures, such as olfactory bulbs and nasal epithelium surface area.
  • The impact of body size scaling on olfactory and vomeronasal systems remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between body size and olfactory structures in primates.
  • To evaluate whether proportional or absolute measurements provide a more accurate assessment of olfactory capabilities.
  • To consider the role of the vomeronasal organ in defining microsmia versus macrosmia.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of olfactory bulb volume and olfactory epithelium surface area in relation to body mass.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Comparison of proportional versus absolute measurements for olfactory structures.
  • Review of existing literature on primate olfactory anatomy and scaling.

    • Main Results:

    • Proportional measurements may distort data when comparing within taxa.
    • Absolute measurements might offer a more reliable perspective on olfactory capacity.
    • Different parameters (density, volume, surface area) yield varying conclusions about olfactory epithelium.

    Conclusions:

    • The definition of microsmatic versus macrosmatic in primates requires careful consideration of measurement methods.
    • Absolute measurements may be more informative than proportional ones for intra-taxa comparisons.
    • Further research into the vomeronasal organ's role is warranted for a comprehensive understanding of olfactory function.