The monkeys of the New World, infraorder Platyrrhini, live almost exclusively in the tropical forests of South and Central America. Although superifically similar to Old World monkeys, these American forms exhibit many differences including an extra pre-molar tooth, smaller brains, and a completely different crainial anatomy. Accordingly, Old World monkeys are more closely related to apes and humans and are placed in the same infraorder, Catarrhini. Most similarities between monkey species in the two hemispheres are due to convergent evolution, or parallel adaptations to similar tropical forest environments.
General platyrrhine characteristics.
- monkey-like anatomy;
- quadrapedial locomotion;
- exclusively arboreal,
- some species have prehensile (grasping) tails, a unique arborial specialization;
- 2:1:3:3 dental formula, indicating retention of primitive primate dentition also found in prosimians.
Examples
You may click on any of the images below for a enlarged view. All photographs are from the-
Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center
WWW Audiovisual Archive,
Lagothrix lagotricha, Family Atelidae.
Note quadrapedal posture.
Saimiri sciureus, Family Cebidae.
An insectivorous species. Note the use of the hands for feeding.
Ateles geoffreyi, or "spider monkey", Family: Atelidae.
This picture demonstrates the use of prhensile or grasping tail, a feature
unique to New World Platerrhines.
Callithrix jacchus, marmoset, Family: Callitrichidae.
Marmosets and Tamarinds are the worlds smallest primates. The presence of
claws on some digits indicates the retention of primitive characteristics
in this New World species.
Alouatta seniculus, or "howler monkey", Family: Atelidae
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