Primates
Primates
Primates (/ˈpraɪmeɪts/ PRY-mayts) are a group of mammals that includes humans, apes, monkeys, and prosimians such as lemurs and tarsiers. The term "primate" comes from the Latin primus, meaning "first" or "chief".
Etymology
The term "primate" was first used by Carl Linnaeus in the 10th edition of his book Systema Naturae. The word is derived from the Latin primus, which means "first" or "chief". This reflects the belief that primates are the most advanced of all mammals.
Classification
Primates are classified into two main groups: Prosimians and Anthropoids. Prosimians include lemurs, lorises, and tarsiers. Anthropoids include monkeys, apes, and humans.
Characteristics
Primates are characterized by large brains relative to other mammals, as well as an increased reliance on stereoscopic vision at the expense of smell, the dominant sensory system in most mammals. These features are more developed in monkeys and apes and noticeably less so in lorises and lemurs.
Related Terms
- Prosimians: A suborder of primates that includes lemurs, lorises, and tarsiers.
- Anthropoids: A suborder of primates that includes monkeys, apes, and humans.
- Hominidae: The family of primates that includes humans and their close relatives.
- Simian: Another term for monkeys, apes, and humans, but not prosimians.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Primates
- Wikipedia's article - Primates
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