New World monkey
Noun: * A member of the primate group Platyrrhini, characterized by having widely separated, sideways-facing nostrils, a flat nose, and a long, often prehensile (grasping) tail. They are native to the tropical forests of Central and South America.
The term "new world monkey" is used to classify and describe a specific biological family of primates, distinguishing them from "old world monkeys" (found in Africa and Asia) and apes. It is primarily used in zoological, biological, and anthropological contexts.
- The spider monkey is a classic example of a new world monkey with a highly prehensile tail.
- Compared to old world monkeys, new world monkeys are exclusively arboreal.
- Capuchins, howlers, and squirrel monkeys are all types of new world monkey.
- The term is often used in evolutionary biology to discuss the separate primate radiations in the Americas versus Africa and Asia.
- In scientific writing, the hyphenated form "New-World monkey" is sometimes used, especially when the term functions as a compound adjective (e.g., "New-World monkey species").
- Platyrrhine (adj/n): The formal scientific adjective and noun for a new world monkey, directly referencing the broad, flat nose shape.
- Ceboidea: The scientific superfamily name that encompasses new world monkeys.
- Prehensile tail: A key anatomical feature of many, but not all, new world monkeys.
- Platyrrhine
- American monkey (less common)
- Old world monkey (Catarrhine)
- Ape
The "New World" in the name refers to the Americas, following the historical European exploration. It is a geographic and taxonomic label, not a qualitative one. Not all new world monkeys have prehensile tails (e.g., marmosets and tamarins have non-prehensile tails).
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hairy-faced arboreal monkeys having widely separated nostrils and long usually prehensile tails
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