Primate Classification

Primates

Taxonomic order: Primates

Humans, apes, monkeys and some other related animals.

non-human primates are closest living relatives

A comparative study of primates is fundamental to any investigation of human evolution.​

Primate Characteristics: Brain

Large, complex. Cerebrum increases as primates become highly evolved

Primate Characteristics: Vision and Olfaction

evolution trend: reduction in olfactory system.​ ‘forward facing’ eyes for 3D vision. Most distinguish colour.

Primate Characteristics: Digits

Primates have nails instead of claws and grasping extremities

Generalised pentadactyl limb structure: five fingers or toes, opposable first digit

Primate Characteristics: Reproduction

• Not restricted to breeding season

• Rhythmical sexual cycle

• One offspring at a time

• Long period of gestation and parental care

Primate Characteristics: Dentition

Four incisors in both upper and lower jaw

Primate Suborders

Prosimians (lorises, lemurs, tarsiers)​: Least evolved of primates, located in equatorial regions of the world, like Madagascar, arboreal

Anthropoids​: More evolved primates.​ Contains: ​

• Superfamily Ceboidea (New World Monkeys) ​

• Superfamily Cercopithecoidea (Old World Monkeys)​

• Family Hylobatidae (Lesser Apes)​

• Family Hominidae (Great Apes)​

Superfamily Ceboidea (New World Monkeys)

• from South and Central America.​

• Next in evolution on primates.​

• Contains five Families

• arboreal, have prehensile tails and include Marmosets, Tamarins, Capuchins, Squirrel Monkeys

Superfamily Cercopithecoidea (Old World Monkeys)

• All primates from Africa or Asia.​

• More evolved than Ceboidea.​

• Arboreal and terrestrial with prehensile tails.​

• Includes Macaques, Baboons

Family Hylobatidae (Lesser Apes)

• no tails

• more social communication than other primates.​

• More evolved than previous primates.​

• Arboreal and Terrestrial​

• Includes Gibbons

Family Hominidae (Great Apes)

• Most evolved of all primates – has characteristics of lesser apes but are larger and more evolved.​

• Show a lot of sexual dimorphism (variation between the sexes)​

• Mostly terrestrial – occasionally arboreal.​

• Includes Orangutans, Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Humans