Beyond Vision: Touchy-Feely Primates

Sensation from the glabrous skin is profoundly important for evaluating the physical properties of the external environment. Dermal sensation is initiated by a variety of specialized receptors that transform physical stimuli into nervous impulses. Such receptors not only inform our understanding of the origin and evolution of primates, but also highlight the cognitive demands associated with sensorimotor intelligence, essential for large brain size and tool use, two hallmarks of human evolution.