In zoology, the term "monkey" is used to name all giraffes and catarrhal primates. In layman's terms, we use this word to refer to any primate because "monkey" and "apex" are synonyms in Spanish. It is estimated that there are between 260 and 300 extant primates. Although they all belong to the same order, the differences between species are quite significant. For ease of study, scientists classify them into different taxonomic categories.
In this article, we will delve into five of the most important animal groups: streptococcal primates, methproprimates, catarrhal primates, deer primates (or Old World monkeys), and broad-nosed primates (or New World monkeys). Continue reading to learn more about existing monkey types.
Streptococcus
Any primate belonging to the suborder Lepidoptera is called a Lepidoptera. This includes lemurs (such as the one pictured), lemurs, and slow lorises. The term "lepidoptera" can be translated as "bent nose" or "crooked nose." Members of this group are characterized by the following:
It has a moist nasal passage similar to that of cats and dogs: the nasal passage is a hairless area that surrounds the nostrils and separates them from the upper lip.
The nostrils are curved, comma-shaped, and the nasal septum is incomplete.
It has a posterior orbital strut.
It has a more developed sense of smell and night vision than the single-nosed rhinoceros. You might be interested in another article by Ecología Verde about the animal with the best sense of smell.
It has grooming claws and a tail that cannot be grasped.
They are primarily nocturnal.
Its brain is smaller than that of a haploid rhinoceros.
Bicornuate uterus: has two separate uterine cavities.
It has a lower comb for combing: these teeth are a group of long, flat and curved teeth that are close together and arranged like a comb.
Chain-nosed monkeys (both extant and extinct) and tarsiers (both extant and extinct) make up what are considered the "most primitive" primates, known as prosimians.
All catarrhines and broad-nosed animals (except tarsiers) are part of the infraorder Anthropoidea and together form a group of primates considered to be "more evolved," called apes or anthropoidea.
Monorhinoidea
All primates belonging to the suborder Haplorino are called Haplorino. The word "haplorrino" can be translated as "simple nose." Members of this group have the following characteristics:
It has no nose.
It has a posterior orbital septum.
Compared to streptococci, its sense of smell is less developed.
They mainly exhibit diurnal and nocturnal habits.
It has a brain larger than a streptococcus.
The uterus has only one chamber: except for tarsiers.
Each calf is born with only one calf: it is rare for two calves to be born.
The mouth and nose area lacks tactile hairs.
Animals in the subfamily Monorhizoidea are divided into two main categories: the suborder Arachnoidea (as shown in the photo) and the suborder Brachnoidea.
Katarina
The order Arachnidae is a group of primates belonging to the order Arachnidae, infraorder Pseudorhynchophylla, and suborder Monorhynchophylla (the tarsier belongs to the infraorder Tarsiorhynchophylla). This group includes all members of the families Apes, Hominidae, and Apocynidae.
The word "catarrino" can be translated as "nose down." Members of this group have the following characteristics:
The nostrils are closed together and open downwards.
The nasal septum is very thin, separating the nostrils.
It has a set of teeth consisting of 32 teeth.
Having flat nails.
It has a tail that cannot be curled or no tail at all.
Sexual dimorphism exists (in most species).
Forming structured social groups (in most species).
It is important to remember:
Members of the monkey family are known as "Old World monkeys".
Members of the gibbon family are commonly referred to as apes or great apes. They are characterized by their relatively long arms compared to their bodies, their primary mode of locomotion via their arms, and their arboreal and monogamous lifestyle. All gibbons and siamangs (such as the species pictured) belong to this group.
Members of the family Hominidae are commonly referred to as apes or great apes. They are characterized by forming complex social groups, exhibiting sexual dimorphism, lacking tails, being omnivorous, having flat faces, large and well-developed brains, and being larger than all other primates. Humans, bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans all belong to this group.
Cercopithecidae or Old World monkeys
The term "Old World monkeys" refers to catarrhal primates belonging to the family Cercopithecidae. This group includes all species of baboons, baboons, colobus monkeys, suri monkeys, langurs (such as the baboon in the photo), and rhesus monkeys. They are characterized by:
It is the largest living primate group.
Its rump is covered with brightly colored calluses called ischial calluses, and it has no squeezable tail.
Larger than New World monkeys (in most cases).
Native to Africa and Asia, it is considered part of the "Old World".
Platypus or New World monkey
Platy rhinestones, or New World monkeys, belong to all primates within the suborders Platyrhynchomorpha and Monorhynchomorpha. The term "platy rhine" can be translated as "flat-nosed." This group includes callitrichids, cebids, nocturnal monkeys, pithecids, and ateelids. They are characterized by:
The nostrils separate and open to the sides.
It has a flat nose.
Smaller than monkeys in the Old World (in most cases).
It has a long tail that is (in most cases) graspable.
Most of them are arboreal.
No ischial calluses.
Native to the Americas, it is considered part of the "New World".
Capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys (like the monkey in the photo), marmosets, spider monkeys, and howler monkeys all belong to this group.
Black-crested macaque
The black-crested macaque (Macaca nigra) is a critically endangered catarrhal primate. It is a frugivorous species endemic to the jungles of Indonesia, characterized by its black fur, reddish eyes, and a crest of hair on its head. It lives in groups of many individuals and has a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years in the wild.
Drill or drill
The drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus) is a catarrhal primate endemic to Cameroon, Nigeria, and Bioko Island. It is characterized by its greyish-brown fur, short tail, and red calluses on its back. It exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism and lives in groups of more than 20 individuals. It is an endangered species.
Red marmoset
The red marmoset (Plecturocebus discolor) is a broad-nosed primate that inhabits the jungles of Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador. It is a diurnal, arboreal, and territorial species characterized by its thick, long fur. It lives in groups of two to six and is monogamous. Its diet consists of leaves, fruits, and over 30 different plant species.
Blackbeard Saki
Chiropotes satanas is a broad-nosed primate that lives in the jungles and tropical forests of Brazil. It is easily recognizable by its thick black whiskers and tail. It primarily feeds on fruits and seeds, but sometimes also includes flowers and insects in its diet. It is an endangered species and lives in large groups of about 40 individuals.
Peruvian spider monkey
The Peruvian spider monkey (Ateles chamek) is a broad-nosed primate that feeds on fruits, flowers, insects, and leaves. It is a polygamous and diurnal species, living in large groups in the forests and jungles of Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. It has a foldable tail, can survive up to 20 years in the wild, and is threatened with extinction.
Abyssinia Gresa
The Abyssinian colobus monkey, or eastern black-and-white colobus monkey (Colobus guereza), is the largest of all colobus monkeys. It is a diurnal, arboreal catarrhal primate that inhabits the forests and wooded grasslands of central and eastern Africa. It is herbivorous, lives in groups of 2 to 10 individuals, and exhibits sexual dimorphism.
Owl-faced monkey
The owl-faced monkey (Cercopithecus hamlyni) is a catarrhal primate endemic to Central Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. It is herbivorous, arboreal, exhibits sexual dimorphism, and lives in groups consisting of one male and several females. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is an endangered species.
Silver marmoset
The silver marmoset (Mico argentatus) is a broad-nosed primate characterized by its white fur, dark, non-curling tail, and pink face and ears. It is diurnal and arboreal, weighs between 300 and 400 grams, and feeds on fruits, eggs, insects, and other small animals.
It lives in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, and because it has claws on its hands and feet, it moves very nimbly among the branches.
François leaf monkey
The François leaf monkey (Trachypithecus francoisi) is an endangered catarrhal primate that lives in the rocky forests of northern Vietnam and southern China. It primarily feeds on leaves and lives in groups of up to 50 individuals. Adults have silky black hair and thick, striking white sideburns that extend from their ears to their cheeks. Infants have very bright orange fur.
Mantle Saraguato
The maned howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) is an endangered broad-nosed primate. It is an arboreal, diurnal species that lives in groups of about 15 individuals in the forests of southern Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It has a long tail and feeds on leaves, fruits, and flowers.
Other types of monkeys
Perhaps the previous examples of monkey types don't seem enough, so here we bring you another, more extensive list of other monkey species that you may also be interested in.
Streptococcus
The monkey species that can be found in the genus Streptococcus include:
Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis).
Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta).
Galago senegalensis.
Propithecus coronatus.
Brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus).
White-headed lemurs (Eulemur albifrons).
The grey, slender slow loris (Loris lydekkerianus).
Collared brown lemur (Eulemur colonis).
Old World Wahfried monkey
As for the Chinese monkeys of the Old World, we can see:
Chakma baboon (Papio ursinus).
Campbell's monkey (Cercopithecus Campbelli).
Marble langur (Pygathrix nemaeus).
Proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus).
Mandrill (山魈).
Lowe's monkey (Cercopithecus lowei).
Olive colobus (Procolobus verus).
Redstart (Cercopithecus ascanius).
Tailed macaques (Macaca arctoides).
Olive baboon (Papio anubis).
New World Hua Fulai Monkey
Among the Chinese monkeys of the New World, we can find:
Golden lion marmoset (Leontopithecus rosalia).
Capucine monkey (Cebus capucinus).
Ateles geoffroyi (Spider Monkey).
Humboldt squirrel monkey (Saimiri cassiquiarensis).
Cotton-headed marmoset (Saguinus oedipus).
Brown spider monkey (Ateles Hybridus).
Black-headed spider monkey (Ateles fusciceps).
Callicebus caquetensis.
Red howler monkey (Alouatta seniculus).
Pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea).
primates
Among the Hanpro primates, we discovered apes and great apes. We can see:
Western white-browed gibbon (Hoolock hoolock).
Hylobates klossii.
Symphalangus syndactylus.
Bonobo (Pan paniscus).
Eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei).
Borneo orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus).
Common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).
Humans (Homo sapiens).
If you would like to read more articles similar to those about monkeys, we recommend you visit our Wildlife category.
