Which hypothesis suggests that primate traits developed in response to preying on insects?

The visual predation hypothesis specifically posits that certain traits in primates, such as forward-facing eyes, enhanced depth perception, and fine motor skills, evolved primarily as adaptations to effectively hunt insects in a three-dimensional arboreal environment. This hypothesis emphasizes the importance of visual acuity and the ability to judge distance in the dense foliage of trees where many insects reside.

In contrast, the arboreal hypothesis focuses on adaptations related to life in the trees, advocating that traits such as grasping hands and feet evolved to help primates navigate their forested environments, primarily for safety and mobility rather than for predation on insects specifically. The angiosperm radiation hypothesis, on the other hand, suggests that the evolution of flowering plants influenced primate evolution by providing new food sources and ecological niches. Lastly, the adaptive radiation hypothesis refers broadly to the diversification of species into various forms in response to a range of ecological pressures, lacking a specific focus on insect predation.

Thus, the visual predation hypothesis uniquely identifies insect consumption as a key driver of the evolutionary adaptations seen in early primates, making it the correct choice in this context.