Primates are an order of mammals and while they share characteristics with other mammals, they also have their own identifiers that set them apart. For example, since primates rely more on their vision than their sense of smell, they have shortened snouts (Orzech. “Primate Features”). The fact that they rely so heavily on their sight makes perfect sense when considering that they have forward facing eye orbits which gives them the best position for taking in the most amount of visual stimuli (Orzech, “Primate Features”). Primates also have less teeth than other mammals, they do, however, have specific types of teeth such as incisors for biting, canines for shearing, and molars for crunching (Orzech, “Primate Features”).
Not only do they have great vision and various teeth, but extensive motion as well for the clavicle “provides the only bony link between the upper limb and the trunk” (Orzech, “Primate Features”). Primates also possess “two separate bones in the forearm and lower leg” which gives them greater ability to move their limbs and more precise movements (Orzech, “Primate Features”). Now there are two major groups within the order of Primates known as Anthropoids (also known as Simians) and Prosimians who, although they’re both classes of primates are very different from each other.
According to Naveen (“Difference between Anthropoids and Prosimians”), Anthropoids are “the most evolved and the most intelligent among all” the animals who have lived to this day. Within the class of Anthropoids whom are larger bodied primates with bigger skulls and brains than many mammals, there are three main groups: New World Monkeys (Platyrrhines), Old World Monkeys (Catarrhines), and Apes (i.e. humans) (Naveen, “Difference between Anthropoids and Prosimians”). Prosimians, on the other hand, consist of lemurs and were the first evolved primates who exist only in Asia and Africa and mostly eat insects while Anthropoids are generally herbivorous (Naveen, “Difference between Anthropoids and Prosimians”). Prosimians are also arboreal and leap from tree to tree while Anthropoids like to walk on the ground by utilizing their knuckles or their rumps (Naveen, “Difference between Anthropoids and Prosimians”).
Works Cited
Naveen. "Difference between Anthropoids and Prosimians." Difference Between. N.p., 20 Mar. 2012. Web. 30 May 2016.
Orzech, Kathryn. "Primate Features." Tree of Life Web Project. University of Arizona, 2005. Web. 30 May 2016.
