PRIMATES &
HUMAN EVOLUTION
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First primates
Haplorhini
Strepsirrhini
Lemurs
Lorises + Galagos
Simians
Tarsiers
Catarrhini
Platyrrhini
New World monkeys
Marmoset
Tamarin
Capuchin
Squirrel monkey
Douroucouli
Titi
Saki
Uakari
Howler monkey
Spider monkey
Woolly monkey
Hominoidea
Cercopithecoidea
Old World monkeys
Vervet
Patas
Douc
Green monkey
Guenon
Langur
Mangabey
Baboon
Gelada
Mandrill
Talapoin
Proboscis
Colobus
Macaque
Hominidae
Gibbons (Hylobatidae)
Homininae
(Great apes)
Orangutans (Ponginae)
Hominini
Gorillas (Gorilla)
Pan
Chimpanzees and bonobos
Chimpanzee
Bonobo
Humans
NOTICE
It is important to understand that humans are NOT the culmination of primate evolution.
This cladogram could have been configured with any of these animals in the final position.
However, since we are humans, this arrangement gives us a view of our roots and history.
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.
Studying primates helps us understand our own evolution.
•Opposable thumb,
•Flat nails,
•Four limbs plus tail,
•Omnivores,
•Delayed sexual maturity,
•Reduced number of offspring,
•Increased maternal care,
•Enlarged brain,
•Closely spaced eyed pointing forward,
•Acute stereoscopic vision,
•A shortened snout,
•Social behavior,
•Arboreal lifestyle,
•Generally defenseless animals.
•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.
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.
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 cheek 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.
SKIN CARE
BEAUTY
HUMAN EVOLUTION
PRIMATES