The New World monkeys or Platyrrhines are the four families of primates that are found in Central and South America, the Cebidae, Nyctipithecidae, Pitheciidae and Atelidae. All families differ from the Old World monkeys and apes in having long, often prehensile tails. The name means "flat nosed", and this is how they are distinguished from Old World monkeys. Platyrrhine noses are flatter, with side facing nostrils, compared to the narrow noses and downward facing nostrils of Old World Monkeys. 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.
All NewWorldmonkeys differ slightly from Old Worldmonkeys in many aspects, but the most prominent of which is the nose.
The scientific name for Newworldmonkey, Platyrrhini, means "flat nosed", therefore the noses are flatter, with side facing nostrils, compared to the narrow noses of the Old Worldmonkey.
The NewWorldmonkeys are found from S Mexico to central South America, except in the high mountains, and are classified into two families (Callatrichids and Cebids).
The NewWorldmonkeys include the marmosets and tamarins, small monkeys with claws that are classified in a family of their own, the Callithricidae.
Smaller forms with nonprehensile tails are the squirrel monkey and titi, the nocturnal douroucouli, or owl monkey, the saki, and the ouakari.
Feeds |
Contact