Review on the Physical Growth in Primates

Abstract

J.M. Tanner concluded in 1962 that the growth velocity curve in body weight shows two peaks in primates but only one peak in the other mammals, and that the first peak in primates corresponds phylogenetically to the peak in the other mammals. Many reports on the physical growth of primates have been accumulated in the past 70 years. Using some of them as a basis, the author illustrated the normative velocity curves (increment curves) of the weight of monkeys, chimpanzees and humans, and reconsidered Tanner’s conclusion. However, there are still some as yet obscure aspects to be interpreted in future.