| A family portrait |
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| Lemur | Capuchin | Patas | Human |
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| © Rvb | © David M. Jensen | © ucumari | © Leornardo da Vinci |
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| Indri | Douroucouli | Macaque | Chimpanzee |
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| © Olivier Lejade | © swh | © Alfonsopazphoto | © Frans de Waal |
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| Galago | Howler monkey | Mangabey | Bonobo |
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| © Robertsphotos | © Ryan E. Poplin | © Eric Kilby | © Kabir |
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| Aye-aye | Tamarin | Mandrill | Gorilla |
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| © Unknown | © Leo Reynolds | © H Dwight Beers | © Kabir Bakie |
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| Tarsier | Saki | Colobus | Orangutan |
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| © Plerzelwupp | © digitalART2 | © Kabir | © Restless mind |
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| Potto | Titi | Guenon | Gibbon |
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| © Myers Esspinsa | © Jeff Kubina | © GraphicReality | © Ryan E. Poplin |
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| Sifaka | Spider monkey | Gelada | |
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| © David Dennis | © swh | © Frank Wouters | |
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| Loris | Uakari | Langur | |
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| © Joachim S. Müller | © Evgenia Kononova | © Manvendra Bhangui | |
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| Marmoset | Proboscis | ||
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| © Joey Gannon | © Bjørn C. Tørrissen | ||
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| Squirrel monkey | Baboon | ||
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| © Dave M. Barb | © U.S. federal gov. | ||
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All from a common ancestor
What is amazing about this stunning diversity of species is that they have all stemmed from a common ancestor called; the first primates.
Because of the importance of this subject, the next chapter is dedicated to it.
Understanding primates helps us understand our own evolution.
The four columns above represent the four primate families; Prosimians, New world monkeys, Old world monkeys and Apes.
Prosimians
The word Prosimian means «pre-monkey».
The Prosimian branch is the oldest and most primitive of the primate family tree.
Prosimians are native to Madagascar, but are also found in Africa and Asia.
They are typically nocturnal, which explains their large eyes and very developed senses of smell and hearing.
Many still have a grooming claw instead of a nail on the second digit of their feet.
Their upper lip is split and attached to the nose, which limits their
expressivity.
Platyrrhini or Catarrhini?
•Platyrrhini means «flat nose» and represents «New world monkeys» with their sideways facing nostrils.
•Catarrhini means «narrow nose» and describes «Old world monkeys» and Apes with their downward pointing nostrils.
New world monkeys
About 40 million years ago, it is believed that some primates somehow crossed the Atlantic.
Over time, they have evolved to exploit the possibilities of the New world and have diverged into numerous species.
They can be found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.
Many New world monkeys
have a prehensile tails that can feel and grasp. Some use it as a fifth limb.
They are mostly small and arboreal.
Their thumbs are not opposable to their fingers.
Old world monkeys
It is thought that their last common ancestor came later in time than the New world monkey's.
Found in Africa and Asia, Old world monkeys are relatively large.
They have a non-prehensile tail with a sitting pad of thick, hardened skin around it.
Many have cheeks pouches to hold food.
They have developed trichromatic vision, lacking in most New world monkeys.
Though they are mostly arboreal, the size increase in some species has resulted in more terrestrial forms.
Most are omnivorous, but they all prefer plant matter.
Apes
Apes are important to us, apes are us.
They have their own section.
