The New World monkeys are the four families of primates that are found in Central and South America: the Cebidae, Aotidae, Pitheciidae and Atelidae. The four families are ranked together as the Platyrrhini parvorder. They differ from other groupings of monkeys and primates, such as the Old World monkeys and the apes.

Characteristics

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All New World monkeys differ slightly from Old World monkeys in many aspects, but the most prominent of which is the nose. This is the feature used most commonly to distinguish between the two groups. The scientific name for New world monkey, Platyrrhini, means "flat nosed", therefore the noses are flatter, with side facing nostrils, compared to the narrow noses of the Old World monkey. Most New world monkeys have long, often prehensile tails. Many are small, arboreal and nocturnal, so our knowledge of them is less comprehensive than that of the more easily observed Old World monkeys. Unlike most Old World monkeys, many New World monkeys form monogamous pair bonds, and show substantial paternal care of young.

Classification

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• ORDER PRIMATES
  • Suborder Strepsirrhini: lemurs, lorises, etc.
  • Suborder Haplorrhini: tarsiers, monkeys and apes
    • Infraorder Tarsiiformes
      • Family Tarsiidae: tarsiers
    • Infraorder Simiiformes
      • Parvorder Platyrrhini: New World monkeys
        • Family Cebidae: marmosets, tamarins, capuchins and squirrel monkeys
        • Family Aotidae: night or owl monkeys (douroucoulis)
        • Family Pitheciidae: titis, sakis and uakaris
        • Family Atelidae: howler, spider and woolly monkeys
      • Parvorder Catarrhini: Old World monkeys, apes and humans

References

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New World monkeys

Neuweltaffen | Platyrrhini | پخ‌بینیان | Platyrrhini | Majmuni Novog svijeta | קופים רחבי אף | Plačianosės beždžionės | Breedneusapen | 広鼻下目 | Małpy szerokonose | Brednäsor