Defining characteristics for each primate suborder, infraorder, and superfamily discussed in lecture

primate suborder

- strepsirhini: "wet nose"

- haplorhini: "dry nose"

primate infraorder

- tarsiiformes (tarsiers)

- platyrrhini (monkeys)

- catarrhini (apes, humans)

primate superfamilies

- cercopithecoidea

- hominoidea

primate suborder: strepsirhini "wet nose"

- lemurs, lorises

- long snout

- dental comb

primate suborder: haplorhini "dry nose"

- tarsiers, monkeys, apes, humans

primate infraorder: tarsiiformes (tarsiers)

- huge eyes

- only carnivorous primate

primate infraorder: platyrrhini (monkeys)

- new world monkey

- prehensile tail

primate infraorder: catarrhini (apes, humans)

- old world monkeys, apes, humans

primate superfamilies: cercopithecoidea

- old world mokeys

- bilophodont molars

primate superfamilies: hominoidea

- apes, humans

- y5 molar

Anatomical characteristics shared by all primates

- flexible limbs
- opposable thumbs/five digits
- generalized dentition
- primarily omnivorous
- k-selected
- binocular & stereoscopic vision

Behavioral characteristics shared by all primates

- tend to live in social groups
- more reliant on flexible, learned behaviors

k-selected

- longer pregnancy
- spend more energy on parental care
- reach sexual maturity "late"
- longer lifespan