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Primates is a diverse order of placental mammals which includes monkeys, lemurs, galagos, lorisids, tarsiers, and apes (including humans). Members of this order are called primates. The order currently comprises 505 extant species, which are grouped into 81 genera. The majority of primates live in South and Central America, Africa, and southern and Southeast Asia, in a variety of habitats, particularly forests but also including grasslands, savannas, shrublands, wetlands, deserts, and rocky areas. The exception is humans, which have spread worldwide to every biome. Primates come in a variety of body plans but typically feature large brains, a shoulder girdle allowing a large degree of movement in the shoulder joint, dexterous hands, and tails, sometimes prehensile.[1] They range in size from Margot Marsh's mouse lemur, at 8 cm (3 in) plus a 11 cm (4 in) tail, to the eastern gorilla, at 196 cm (77 in), not including limbs. Primates are also the most intelligent animals and non-human primates are recorded to use tools, communicate with gestures and vocalizations, and have complex social systems.[2]

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Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta)
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Red slender loris (Loris tardigradus)
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Northern greater galago (Otolemur garnettii)
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Philippine tarsier (Carlito syrichta)
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Red-faced spider monkey (Ateles paniscus)
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Hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas)
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Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
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Humans (Homo sapiens)
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Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus)
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Western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla)
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Range and density of non-human primates

Primates is divided into two suborders: Haplorrhini and Strepsirrhini. The suborders are further subdivided into clades and families. Haplorrhini contains nine families in four major clades: Cercopithecoidea, containing the Old World monkeys of the family Cercopithecidae; Hominoidea, containing the great apes of the family Hominidae and the gibbons of the family Hylobatidae; Platyrrhines, or New World monkeys, divided into the families Aotidae, Atelidae, Callitrichidae, Cebidae, and Pitheciidae and containing night, howler, spider, woolly, capuchin, squirrel, and saki monkeys, marmosets, and tamarins; and Tarsiiformes, containing the tarsier family Tarsiidae. Strepsirrhini is split between two clades: Lemuroidea, divided into the families Cheirogaleidae (dwarf and mouse lemurs), Daubentoniidae (the aye-aye), Indriidae (wooly lemurs, sifakas, and indri), Lemuridae (lemurs), and Lepilemuridae (sportive lemurs); and Lorisoidea, split between the galago family Galagidae and the loris family Lorisidae. The exact organization of the species is not fixed, with many recent proposals made based on molecular phylogenetic analysis. No species have been recorded as going extinct since 1500 CE, but over 200 species, or more than 40 percent of all primates, are considered endangered or critically endangered.

Conventions

Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the collective range of species in that genera is provided. Ranges are based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species unless otherwise noted.

Classification

The order Primates consists of 505 extant species belonging to 81 genera. This does not include hybrid species or extinct prehistoric species. Modern molecular studies indicate that the 81 genera can be grouped into 16 families; these families are divided between two named suborders and are grouped in those suborders into named clades, and some of these families are subdivided into named subfamilies.

Suborder Haplorrhini

Suborder Strepsirrhini

Primates[3]  

Primates

The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN and the American Society of Mammalogists.[4]

Suborder Haplorrhini

Superfamily Cercopithecoidea

Main article: List of cercopithecoids
Family Cercopithecidae

Members of the Cercopithecidae family are called cercopithecids, or colloquially Old World monkeys, and include baboons, colobuses, guenons, lutungs, macaques, and other types of monkeys. Cercopithecidae comprises 158 extant species, divided into 23 genera. These genera are grouped into two subfamilies: Cercopithecinae, or cercopithecine monkeys, containing baboon, guenon, macaque, and other monkey species; and Colobinae, or leaf-eating monkeys, containing colobus, lutung, and other monkey species.

More information Name, Authority and species ...
Subfamily Cercopithecinae – Gray, 1821 – thirteen genera
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Allenopithecus

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 Lang, 1923

One species
 Central Africa
Thumb		 Size: 33–51 cm (13–20 in) long, plus 35–52 cm (14–20 in) tail[5]

Habitats: Forest[6]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, and small invertebrates[7]
Allochrocebus
(terrestrial guenon)

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 Elliot, 1913

Three species
 Central and west-central Africa Size range: 31–69 cm (12–27 in) long, plus 48–10 cm (19–4 in) tail (L'Hoest's monkey)[8]

Habitats: Grassland and forest[9]

Diets: Fruit, seeds, shoots, leaves, buds, flowers, mushrooms, and invertebrates[8]
Cercocebus
(white-eyelid mangabey)

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 É Geoffroy, 1812

Seven species
 Equatorial Africa Size range: 40–80 cm (16–31 in) long, plus 45–100 cm (18–39 in) tail (Golden-bellied mangabey)[10]

Habitats: Inland wetlands, forest, shrubland, and savanna[10]

Diets: Invertebrates, fruit, leaves, nuts, seeds, nectar, stems, roots, insects, fungi, grass, and small vertebrates[10]
Cercopithecus
(guenon)

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 Linnaeus, 1758

Nineteen species
 Sub-Saharan Africa Size range: 29 cm (11 in) long, plus 57 cm (22 in) tail (Lesser spot-nosed monkey) to 70 cm (28 in) long, plus 109 cm (43 in) tail (Blue monkey)[11]

Habitats: Inland wetlands, forest, shrubland, and savanna[11]

Diets: Fruit, leaves, seeds, shoots, herbs, invertebrates, flowers, buds, tree gum, birds, bird eggs, and small reptiles[11]
Chlorocebus
(vervet monkey)

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 Gray, 1870

Seven species
 Equatorial, eastern, and southern Africa Size range: 34 cm (13 in) long, plus 44 cm (17 in) tail (Malbrouck) to 83 cm (33 in) long, plus 114 cm (45 in) tail (Tantalus monkey)[12]

Habitats: Forest, shrubland, and savanna[13]

Diets: Fruit, leaves, flowers, small vertebrates, shoots, stems, roots, insects, bark, gum, eggs, invertebrates, pith, seeds, and mushrooms[12]
Erythrocebus
(patas monkey)

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 Trouessart, 1897

Three species
 Equatorial and Eastern Africa Size range: 49 cm (19 in) long, plus 43 cm (17 in) tail (Blue Nile patas monkey) to 70 cm (28 in) long, plus 70 cm (28 in) tail (Common patas monkey)[14]

Habitats: Grassland, forest, shrubland, and savanna[15]

Diets: Fruit, insects, gum, and arthropods, as well as flowers, fruit, seeds, leaves, stems, roots, small vertebrates, and bird eggs[14]
Lophocebus
(crested mangabey)

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 Palmer, 1903

Two species
 Central Africa Size range: 44–75 cm (17–30 in) long, plus 57–94 cm (22–37 in) tail (Grey-cheeked mangabey)[16]

Habitats: Forest[16]

Diets: Fruit and seeds[16]
Macaca
(macaque)

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 Lacépède, 1799

24 species
 Southern, southeastern, and eastern Asia, and northwestern Africa Size range: 36 cm (14 in) long, plus 36 cm (14 in) tail (Toque macaque) to 77 cm (30 in) long, plus 20 cm (8 in) tail (Arunachal macaque)[17]

Habitats: Inland wetlands, rocky areas, shrubland, savanna, grassland, forest, intertidal marine, and caves[18]

Diets: Fish, crabs, shellfish, bird eggs, honeycombs, invertebrates, gums, pith, seeds, leaves, flowers, dirt, fungi, and birds[17]
Mandrillus
(mandrill)

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 Ritgen, 1824

Two species
 Western Africa Size range: 55–95 cm (22–37 in) long, plus 7–10 cm (3–4 in) tail (Mandrill)[19]

Habitats: Rocky areas, forest, and savanna[19]

Diets: Omnivorous, primarily fruit and seeds[19]
Miopithecus
(talapoin)

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 Geoffroy, 1842

Two species
 Western Africa Size range: 23 cm (9 in) long, plus 31 cm (12 in) tail (Gabon talapoin) to 45 cm (18 in) long, plus 53 cm (21 in) tail (Angolan talapoin)[20]

Habitats: Inland wetlands and forest[20]

Diets: Insects, leaves, seeds, fruit, water plants, grubs, eggs, and small vertebrates[20]
Papio
(baboon)

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 Erxleben, 1777

Six species
 Sub-Saharan Africa and southwestern Arabian Peninsula Size range: 50–115 cm (20–45 in) long, plus 45–72 cm (18–28 in) tail (Chacma baboon)[21]

Habitats: Inland wetlands, rocky areas, shrubland, savanna, desert, grassland, and forest[22]

Diets: Fruit, leaves, roots, insects, eggs, small vertebrates, flowers, buds, grass, and seeds[21]
Rungwecebus

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 Davenport, 2006

One species
 Southeastern Africa
Thumb		 Size: 85–90 cm (33–35 in) long, plus about 115 cm (45 in) tail[23]

Habitats: Forest[24]

Diet: Omnivorous, including bulbs, roots, shoots, seeds, and fruit[23]
Theropithecus

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 Geoffroy, 1843

One species
 Eastern Africa
Thumb		 Size: 50–75 cm (20–30 in) long, plus 32–55 cm (13–22 in) tail[25]

Habitats: Grassland and rocky areas[26]

Diet: Leaves and forbs, as well as roots, corms, tubers and rhizomes[26]
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More information Name, Authority and species ...
Subfamily Colobinae – Jerdon, 1867 – ten genera
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Colobus
(black-and-white colobus)

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 Illiger, 1811

Five species
 Central Africa and Western Africa Size range: 45–72 cm (18–28 in) long, plus 52–100 cm (20–39 in) tail (King colobus)[27]

Habitats: Forest and savanna[28]

Diets: Leaves, nuts, and seeds, as well as fruit, flowers, buds, stems, bark, shoots, insects, and clay[27]
Nasalis

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 É Geoffroy, 1812

One species
 Borneo
Thumb		 Size: 61–76 cm (24–30 in) long, plus 50–75 cm (20–30 in) tail[29]

Habitats: Forest[30]

Diet: Fruit, seeds, leaves, and shoots, as well as caterpillars and larvae[31]
Piliocolobus
(red colobus)

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 Rochebrune, 1887

Sixteen species
 Congo, and eastern and western Africa Size range: 41–70 cm (16–28 in) long, plus 42–80 cm (17–31 in) tail (multiple)[32]

Habitats: Inland wetlands, forest, shrubland, and savanna[33]

Diets: Leaves, fruit, shoots, buds, flowers, and seeds, as well as flowers[32]
Presbytis
(surili)

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 Eschscholtz, 1821

Nineteen species
 Southeastern Asia Size range: 42 cm (17 in) long, plus 50 cm (20 in) tail (Black Sumatran langur) to 62 cm (24 in) long, plus 85 cm (33 in) tail (Thomas's langur)[34]

Habitats: Inland wetlands, forest, and shrubland[35]

Diets: Fruit, leaves, seeds and flowers, as well as bark, twigs, stalks, birds, bird eggs, algae, and insects[34]
Procolobus

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 Rochebrune, 1877

One species
 Western Africa
Thumb		 Size: 43–50 cm (17–20 in) long, plus 57–64 cm (22–25 in) tail[36]

Habitats: Forest[37]

Diet: Leaves and flowers[38]
Pygathrix
(douc)

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 É Geoffroy, 1812

Three species
 Southeastern Asia Size range: 60 cm (24 in) long, plus 56 cm (22 in) tail (Black-shanked douc) to 77 cm (30 in) long, plus 77 cm (30 in) tail (Red-shanked douc)[39]

Habitats: Forest[39]

Diets: Leaves, as well as fruit, seeds, buds, and flowers[39]
Rhinopithecus
(snub-nosed monkey)

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 H. Milne-Edwards, 1872

Five species
 Southern China, Central China, Northern Vietnam, and Northern Myanmar Size range: 51 cm (20 in) long, plus 66 cm (26 in) tail (Tonkin snub-nosed monkey) to 83 cm (33 in) long, plus 72 cm (28 in) tail (Black-and-white snub-nosed monkey)[40]

Habitats: Forest[41]

Diets: Leaves, fruit, buds, flowers, buds, bark, seeds, and lichen, as well as insect larvae[40]
Semnopithecus
(gray langur)

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 Desmarest, 1822

Eight species
 Sri Lanka, India, and Himalayas Size range: 41–78 cm (16–31 in) long, plus 69–108 cm (27–43 in) (multiple)[42]

Habitats: Rocky areas, forest, shrubland, and savanna[42]

Diets: Leaves, fruit, and flowers, seeds, roots, bark, twigs, coniferous cones, moss, lichens, ferns, shoots, rhizomes, grass, and invertebrates[42]
Simias

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 Miller, 1903

One species
 Islands near Sumatra in Indonesia
Thumb		 Size: 45–53 cm (18–21 in) long, plus 13–18 cm (5–7 in) tail[43]

Habitats: Forest[44]

Diet: Leaves, fruit, and berries[45]
Trachypithecus
(lutung)

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 Reichenbach, 1862

21 species
 Southeastern Asia Size range: 40–76 cm (16–30 in) long, plus 57–110 cm (22–43 in) tail (multiple)[46]

Habitats: Inland wetlands, rocky areas, forests, forest, and caves[47]

Diets: Leaves, flowers, fruit, shoots, seeds, and twigs, as well as bark and insects[46]
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Superfamily Hominoidea

Main article: List of hominoids
Family Hominidae

Members of the Hominidae family are hominids, or colloquially great apes, and include gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and humans. Hominoidae comprises eight extant species, divided into four genera. These genera are grouped into two subfamilies: Homininae, or African hominids, containing gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and humans; and Ponginae, or Asian hominids, containing orangutans.

More information Name, Authority and species ...
Subfamily Homininae – Gray, 1825 – three genera
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Gorilla
(gorilla)

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 Geoffroy, 1852

Two species
 Central Africa and Western Africa
Thumb		 Size range: 130 cm (51 in) long (Western gorilla) to 196 cm (77 in) long (Eastern gorilla)[48]

Habitats: Forest[49]

Diets: Leaves, berries, ferns, bark, roots, stems, and pith, as well as wood, flowers, fruit, fungi, galls, invertebrates, and gorilla dung[48]
Homo

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 Linnaeus, 1758

One species
 Worldwide (population density shown)
Thumb		 Size: 140–210 cm (55–83 in) long, including legs[50]

Habitats: Varied

Diet: Omnivorous
Pan
(chimpanzee)

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 Oken, 1816

Two species
 Central and western Africa
Thumb		 Size range: 63–90 cm (25–35 in) long (Chimpanzee)[51]

Habitats: Forest and savanna[52]

Diets: Fruit, leaves, stems, buds, bark, pith, seeds, and resins, as well as leaves, insects, shoots, small vertebrates, truffles, fungus, honey, and eggs[51]
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More information Name, Authority and species ...
Subfamily Ponginae – Elliot, 1913 – one genus
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Pongo

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 Lacépède, 1799

Three species
 Borneo and Sumatra
Thumb		 Size range: 78–97 cm (31–38 in) long (Bornean orangutan)[53]

Habitats: Forest[54]

Diets: Fruit, leaves, shoots, flowers, and bark, as well as insects, sap, vines, spider webs, bird eggs, fungi, flowers, bark, and soil[53]
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Family Hylobatidae

Members of the Hylobatidae family are hylobatids, or colloquially gibbons. Hylobatidae comprises 19 extant species, divided into four genera.

More information Name, Authority and species ...
Not assigned to a named subfamily – four genera
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Hoolock
(hoolock gibbon)

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 Mootnick & Groves, 2005

Three species
 Southern Asia (in green)
Thumb		 Size range: 45 cm (18 in) long (Western hoolock gibbon) to 81 cm (32 in) long (Skywalker hoolock gibbon)[55]

Habitats: Forest[55]

Diets: Fruit and leaves, as well as shoots, invertebrates, bird chicks, and flowers[55]
Hylobates
(dwarf gibbon)

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 Illiger, 1811

Nine species
 Southeastern Asia
Thumb		 Size range: 42 cm (17 in) long (Silvery gibbon) to 65 cm (26 in) long (Agile gibbon)[56]

Habitats: Forest[56]

Diets: Fruit, flowers, leaves, and insects, as well as eggs and small vertebrates[56]
Nomascus
(crested gibbon)

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 Miller, 1933

Seven species
 Southeastern Asia
Thumb		 Size range: 40 cm (16 in) long (Eastern black crested gibbon) to 64 cm (25 in) long (Southern white-cheeked gibbon)[57]

Habitats: Forest[57]

Diets: Fruit, leaves, buds, shoots, and flowers, as well as insects, eggs, and small vertebrates[57]
Symphalangus

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 Gloger, 1841

One species
 Southeastern Asia
Thumb		 Size: 71–90 cm (28–35 in) long[58]

Habitats: Forest[59]

Diet: Fruit and leaves, as well as flowers and insects[59]
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Parvorder Platyrrhines

Main article: List of platyrrhines
Family Aotidae

Members of the Aotidae family are aotids, or colloquially night monkeys. Aotidae comprises eleven extant species in a single genus.

More information Name, Authority and species ...
Not assigned to a named subfamily – one genus
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Aotus
(night monkey)

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 Illiger, 1811

Eleven species
 Central and northern South America and Central America Size range: 24 cm (9 in) long, plus 31 cm (12 in) tail (Azara's night monkey) to 47 cm (19 in) long plus 42 cm (17 in) tail (Three-striped night monkey)[60]

Habitats: Forest and savanna[60]

Diets: Fruit, nectar, leaves, flowers, buds, and insects, as well as small vertebrates and eggs[60]
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Family Atelidae

Members of the Atelidae family are atelids, or colloquially night monkeys, and include howler, spider, woolly, and woolly spider monkeys. Aotidae comprises 24 extant species in 4 genera. It is divided into the subfamilies Alouattinae, or howler monkeys, and Atelinae, or spider and woolly monkeys.

More information Name, Authority and species ...
Subfamily Alouattinae – Trouessart, 1897 – one genus
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Alouatta
(howler monkey)

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 Lacépède, 1799

Twelve species
 Mexico, Central America, and northern, eastern, and central South America
Thumb		 Size range: 38 cm (15 in) long, plus 52 cm (20 in) tail (Mantled howler) to 92 cm (36 in) long plus 92 cm (36 in) tail (Brown howler)[61]

Habitats: Forest and savanna[61]

Diets: Leaves, flowers, fruit, bark, and twigs as well as buds, seeds, moss, stems, termite nests, and decaying wood[61]
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More information Name, Authority and species ...
Subfamily Atelinae – Gray, 1825 – three genera
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Ateles
(spider monkey)

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 É Geoffroy, 1806

Seven species
 Mexico, Central America, and northern and central South America Size range: 30–63 cm (12–25 in) long, plus 63–84 cm (25–33 in) tail (Geoffroy's spider monkey)[62]

Habitats: Forest[63]

Diets: Fruit, leaves, flowers, nuts, seeds, and insects, as well as bark, honey, decaying wood, roots, fungi, arachnids, and eggs[62]
Brachyteles
(muriqui)

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 É Geoffroy, 1806

Two species
 Southeastern Brazil Size range: 46–50 cm (18–20 in) long, plus 72–81 cm (28–32 in) tail (both species)[64]

Habitats: Forest[65]

Diets: Leaves, fruit, vines, flowers, bark, nectar, and seeds[64]
Lagothrix
(woolly monkey)

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 É Geoffroy, 1812

Two species
 Western South America Size range: 44 cm (17 in) long, plus 60 cm (24 in) tail (Yellow-tailed woolly monkey) to 69 cm (27 in) long plus 72 cm (28 in) tail (Common woolly monkey)[66]

Habitats: Forest and savanna[67]

Diets: Fruit, leaves, insects, seeds, moss, buds, and flowers[66]
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Family Callitrichidae

Members of the Callitrichidae family are callitrichids, and include marmosets, tamarins, and lion tamarins. Callitrichidae comprises 43 extant species in 7 genera.

More information Name, Authority and species ...
Not assigned to a named subfamily – seven genera
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Callimico

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 Miranda-Ribeiro, 1922

One species
 Western South America
Thumb		 Size: 21–23 cm (8–9 in) long, plus 25–33 cm (10–13 in) tail[68]

Habitats: Forest[69]

Diet: Fruit, insects, and fungi, as well as lizards, frogs, and other small vertebrates[68]
Callithrix
(Atlantic Forest marmoset)

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 Erxleben, 1777

Six species
 Eastern South America Size range: 12 cm (5 in) long, plus 29 cm (11 in) tail (Common marmoset) to 30 cm (12 in) long plus 41 cm (16 in) tail (Buffy-headed marmoset)[70]

Habitats: Forest and savanna[71]

Diets: Plant gum, sap, fruit, flowers, nectar, seeds, insects, and spiders, as well as molluscs, small vertebrates, and bird eggs[70]
Cebuella
(pygmy marmoset)

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 Gray, 1866

Two species
 Western South America Size range: 12 cm (5 in) long, plus 17 cm (7 in) tail (Western pygmy marmoset) to 30 cm (12 in) long plus 41 cm (16 in) tail (Eastern pygmy marmoset)[72]

Habitats: Forest[73]

Diets: Tree gum, sap, and resin, as well as insects, small lizards, fruit, flowers, and spiders[72]
Leontocebus
(saddle-back tamarin)

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 Wagner, 1840

Seven species
 Central and western South America Size range: 17–31 cm (7–12 in) long, plus 25–44 cm (10–17 in) tail (multiple)[74]

Habitats: Forest[74]

Diets: Fruit, sap, nectar, vegetation, invertebrates, small vertebrates, and eggs[74]
Leontopithecus
(lion tamarin)

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 Lesson, 1840

Four species
 Southeastern South America Size range: 20 cm (8 in) long, plus 31 cm (12 in) tail (Black lion tamarin) to 37 cm (15 in) long plus 40 cm (16 in) tail (Golden lion tamarin)[75]

Habitats: Forest[76]

Diets: Spiders, snails, insects, small lizards, eggs, small birds, fruit, flowers, gum, nectar, and vegetables, as well as snakes and other small vertebrates[75]
Mico
(marmoset)

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 Lesson, 1840

Sixteen species
 Central South America Size range: 18–30 cm (7–12 in) long, plus 17–41 cm (7–16 in) tail (multiple)[77]

Habitats: Forest, shrubland, and savanna[77]

Diets: Sap, gum, fruit, seeds, nuts, insects, snails, spiders, leaves and small vertebrates[77]
Saguinus
(tamarin)

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 Hoffmannsegg, 1807

Seventeen species
 Western, central, and eastern South America and southeastern Central America Size range: 17–31 cm (7–12 in) long, plus 25–44 cm (10–17 in) tail (multiple)[78]

Habitats: Forest and savanna[78]

Diets: Fruit, sap, nectar, gum, seeds, flowers, invertebrates, small vertebrates, eggs, and soil[78]
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Family Cebidae

Members of the Cebidae family are cebids, and include capuchin and squirrel monkeys. Cebidae comprises eighteen extant species in three genera, and is divided into the subfamilies Cebinae, or capuchin monkeys, and Saimiriinae, or squirrel monkeys.

More information Name, Authority and species ...
Subfamily Cebinae – Bonaparte, 1831 – two genera
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Cebus
(gracile capuchin monkey)

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 Erxleben, 1777

Four species
 Northern and central South America and southeastern Central America Size range: 30–57 cm (12–22 in) long, plus 30–56 cm (12–22 in) tail (Kaapori capuchin)[79]

Habitats: Forest and savanna[80]

Diets: Fruit, seeds, berries, nuts, figs, nectar, invertebrates, and small vertebrates[79]
Sapajus
(robust capuchin monkey)

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 Kerr, 1792

Seven species
 Northern, central, and eastern South America
Thumb		 Size range: 30–57 cm (12–22 in) long, plus 30–56 cm (12–22 in) tail (multiple)[81]

Habitats: Forest, shrubland, and savanna[81]

Diets: Fruit, seeds, nectar, pith, stems, nuts, berries, flowers, leaves, bird eggs, insects, frogs, small reptiles, birds, bats, other small mammals, oysters, and crabs[81]
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More information Name, Authority and species ...
Subfamily Saimiriinae – Miller, 1912 – one genus
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Saimiri
(squirrel monkey)

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 Voigt, 1831

Seven species
 Northern and central South America and southern Central America Size range: 22 cm (9 in) long, plus 37 cm (15 in) tail (Central American squirrel monkey) to 36 cm (14 in) long plus 43 cm (17 in) tail (Bare-eared squirrel monkey)[82]

Habitats: Forest[82]

Diets: Fruit, berries, seeds, nuts, gum, nectar, leaves, buds, flowers, insects, arachnids, bird eggs, and small vertebrates[82]
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Family Pitheciidae

Members of the Pitheciidae family are pitheciids, and include titis, saki monkeys and uakaris. Pitheciidae comprises 55 extant species in 5 genera, and is divided into the subfamilies Callicebinae, or titis, and Pitheciinae, or saki monkeys and uakaris.

More information Name, Authority and species ...
Subfamily Callicebinae – Pocock, 1925 – three genera
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Callicebus
(Atlantic Forest titi monkey)

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 Thomas, 1903

Five species
 Eastern South America Size range: 23–46 cm (9–18 in) long, plus 26–56 cm (10–22 in) tail (multiple)[83]

Habitats: Forest, shrubland, and savanna[83]

Diets: Fruit, leaves, flowers, seeds, and insects, as well as birds, vegetation, eggs, and small vertebrates and invertebrates[83]
Cheracebus
(widow titi monkey)

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 Byrne et al., 2016

Five species
 Northern South America, Central South America, and Northwestern South America Size range: 23–46 cm (9–18 in) long, plus 26–56 cm (10–22 in) tail (multiple)[84]

Habitats: Forest and savanna[84]

Diets: Fruit, seeds, leaves, stems, flowers, insects, spiders, and bird eggs[84]
Plecturocebus

Thumb

 Byrne et al., 2016

23 species
 Northern, western, and central South America Size range: 23–46 cm (9–18 in) long, plus 26–56 cm (10–22 in) tail (multiple)[85]

Habitats: Forest and savanna[85]

Diets: Fruit, flowers, seeds, leaves, vines, and insects, as well as arthropods, stems, shoots, eggs, and small vertebrates[85]
Close
More information Name, Authority and species ...
Subfamily Pitheciinae – Mivart, 1865 – three genera
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Cacajao
(uakari)

Thumb

 Lesson, 1840

Seven species
 Northern and western South America Size range: 30–57 cm (12–22 in) long, plus 12–21 cm (5–8 in) tail (Aracá uakari)[86]

Habitats: Forest and savanna[87]

Diets: Fruit, nuts, seeds, flowers, leaves, nectar, insects, and arthropods[86]
Chiropotes
(bearded saki)

Thumb

 Lesson, 1840

Five species
 Northern, northeastern, and central South America Size range: 32 cm (13 in) long, plus 37 cm (15 in) tail (Black bearded saki) to 52 cm (20 in) long plus 51 cm (20 in) tail (Reddish-brown bearded saki)[88]

Habitats: Forest[89]

Diets: Fruit, seeds, nuts, flowers, and insects, as well as stems, arthropods, and leaves[88]
Pithecia
(saki monkey)

Thumb

 Desmarest, 1804

Thirteen species
 Northern and central South America Size range: 20 cm (8 in) long, plus 20 cm (8 in) tail (Napo saki) to 71 cm (28 in) long plus 55 cm (22 in) tail (Burnished saki)[90]

Habitats: Forest[90]

Diets: Seeds, fruit pulp, leaves, insects, and flowers[90]
Close

Infraorder Tarsiiformes

Main article: List of tarsiiformes
Family Tarsiidae

Members of the Tarsiidae family are tarsiids, or colloquially tarsiers. Tarsiidae comprises fourteen extant species in three genera.

More information Name, Authority and species ...
Not assigned to a named subfamily – three genera
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Carlito

Thumb

 Groves & Shekelle, 2010

One species
 Southeastern Philippines
Thumb		 Size: 8–16 cm (3–6 in) long, plus about 25 cm (10 in) tail[91]

Habitats: Forest[92]

Diet: Insects, spiders, lizards, and other small vertebrates[91]
Cephalopachus

Thumb

 Swainson, 1835

One species
 Western Philippines
Thumb		 Size: 11–15 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 20–24 cm (8–9 in) tail[93]

Habitats: Forest[94]

Diet: Insects, as well as small vertebrates including birds, mammals, and reptiles[95]
Tarsius
(tarsier)

Thumb

 Storr, 1780

Twelve species
 Sulawesi, Indonesia
Thumb		 Size range: 8 cm (3 in) long, plus 20 cm (8 in) tail (Pygmy tarsier) to 15 cm (6 in) long plus 20 cm (8 in) tail (Siau Island tarsier)[96]

Habitats: Inland wetlands, forest, and caves[96]

Diets: Arthropods and insects, as well as small vertebrates[96]
Close

Suborder Strepsirrhini

Superfamily Lemuroidea

Main article: List of lemuroids
Family Cheirogaleidae

Members of the Cheirogaleidae family are cheirogaleids, and include dwarf, mouse, giant mouse, and fork-marked lemurs. Cheirogaleidae comprises 41 extant species in 5 genera.

More information Name, Authority and species ...
Not assigned to a named subfamily – five genera
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Allocebus

Thumb

 Petter-Rousseaux & Petter, 1967

One species
 Northeastern Madagascar
Thumb		 Size: 12–15 cm (5–6 in) long, plus about 17 cm (7 in) tail[97]

Habitats: Forest[98]

Diet: Nectar, fruit, gum, leaves, honey, and insects[98]
Cheirogaleus
(dwarf lemur)

Thumb

 É Geoffroy, 1812

Ten species
 Madagascar Size range: 16 cm (6 in) long, plus 18 cm (7 in) tail (Ankarana dwarf lemur) to 27 cm (11 in) long plus 31 cm (12 in) tail (Greater dwarf lemur)[99]

Habitats: Forest and shrubland[99]

Diets: Fruit, flowers, leaves, seeds, nectar, and insects, as well as small vertebrates and honey[99]
Microcebus
(mouse lemur)

Thumb

 É Geoffroy, 1834

24 species
 Madagascar
Thumb		 Size range: 8 cm (3 in) long, plus 11 cm (4 in) tail (Margot Marsh's mouse lemur) to 16 cm (6 in) long plus 15 cm (6 in) tail (Anosy mouse lemur)[100]

Habitats: Forest and shrubland[100]

Diets: Gum, insect excretions, nectar, fruit, leaves, flowers, pollen, arthropods, and small vertebrates[100]
Mirza
(giant mouse lemur)

Thumb

 Gray, 1870

Two species
 Western and northern Madagascar
Thumb		 Size range: 23 cm (9 in) long, plus 31 cm (12 in) tail (Coquerel's giant mouse lemur) to 27 cm (11 in) long plus 32 cm (13 in) tail (Coquerel's giant mouse lemur)[101]

Habitats: Forest[101]

Diets: Fruit, flowers, insect secretions, sap, and invertebrates, as well as small vertebrates[101]
Phaner
(fork-marked lemur)

Thumb

 Gray, 1870

Four species
 Western, northeastern, and northern Madagascar
Thumb		 Size range: 22–29 cm (9–11 in) long, plus 28–37 cm (11–15 in) tail (multiple)[102]

Habitats: Forest[102]

Diets: Sap and gum, as well as insects, insect secretions, fruit, flowers, and nectar[102]
Close
Family Daubentoniidae

Members of the Daubentoniidae family are daubentoniids; the family comprises a single extant species, the aye-aye.

More information Name, Authority and species ...
Not assigned to a named subfamily – one genus
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Daubentonia

Thumb

 É Geoffroy, 1795

One species
 Western and eastern Madagascar
Thumb		 Size: 36–44 cm (14–17 in) long, plus tail[103]

Habitats: Forest and shrubland[104]

Diet: Fruit, nuts, and sap[103]
Close
Family Indriidae

Members of the Indriidae family are indriids, and include woolly lemurs, sifakas, and indri. Indriidae comprises nineteen extant species in three genera.

More information Name, Authority and species ...
Not assigned to a named subfamily – three genera
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Avahi
(woolly lemur)

Thumb

 Jourdan, 1834

Nine species
 Madagascar
Thumb		 Size range: 25 cm (10 in) long, plus 28 cm (11 in) tail (Betsileo woolly lemur) to 37 cm (15 in) long plus 35 cm (14 in) tail (Bemaraha woolly lemur)[105]

Habitats: Forest[105]

Diets: Buds and leaves, as well as flowers and fruit[105]
Indri

Thumb

 É. Geoffroy & G. Cuvier, 1796

One species
 Northeastern Madagascar
Thumb		 Size: 60–90 cm (24–35 in) long, plus 5–6 cm (2–2 in) tail[106]

Habitats: Forest[107]

Diet: Fruit, leaves, and flowers[106]
Propithecus
(sifaka)

Thumb

 Bennett, 1832

Nine species
 Madagascar
Thumb		 Size range: 42 cm (17 in) long, plus 50 cm (20 in) tail (Coquerel's sifaka) to 55 cm (22 in) long, plus 56 cm (22 in) tail (Diademed sifaka)[108]

Habitats: Forest, shrubland, and savanna[108]

Diets: Leaves, flowers, fruit, seeds, shoots, and bark, as well as soil[108]
Close
Family Lemuridae

Members of the Lemuridae family are lemurids, and include ring-tailed, true, ruffed, and bamboo lemurs. Indriidae comprises 21 extant species in 5 genera.

More information Name, Authority and species ...
Not assigned to a named subfamily – five genera
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Eulemur
(true lemur)

Thumb

 Simons & Rumpler, 1988

Twelve species
 Madagascar
Thumb		 Size range: 30 cm (12 in) long, plus 40 cm (16 in) tail (Black lemur) to 51 cm (20 in) long plus 51 cm (20 in) tail (Common brown lemur)[109]

Habitats: Forest[109]

Diets: Leaves, fruit, buds, flowers, and pollen, as well as nectar, bark, insects, arthropods, fungi, and soil[109]
Hapalemur
(bamboo lemur)

Thumb

 Geoffroy, 1851

Five species
 Western, northern, and eastern Madagascar
Thumb		 Size range: 24 cm (9 in) long, plus 32 cm (13 in) tail (Southern lesser bamboo lemur) to 34 cm (13 in) long plus 41 cm (16 in) tail (Golden bamboo lemur)[110]

Habitats: Inland wetlands and forest[110]

Diets: Marsh plants, bamboo, grass, pith, stems, flowers, and leaves, as well as fruit, fungi, and soil[110]
Lemur

Thumb

 Linnaeus, 1758

One species
 Southwestern Madagascar
Thumb		 Size: 39–46 cm (15–18 in) long, plus 56–63 cm (22–25 in) tail[111]

Habitats: Forest, shrubland, rocky areas, and caves[112]

Diet: Omnivorous, including fruit, leaves, stems, flowers, sap, spiders, spider webs, chameleons, insects, small birds, and termite mounds[111]
Prolemur

Thumb

 Gray, 1871

One species
 Eastern Madagascar
Thumb		 Size: 40–45 cm (16–18 in) long, plus 43–48 cm (17–19 in) tail[113]

Habitats: Forest[114]

Diet: Bamboo shoots and pith, as well as flowers, leaves, soil, and fruit[113]
Varecia
(ruffed lemur)

Thumb

 Gray, 1863

Two species
 Eastern Madagascar
Thumb		 Size range: 45 cm (18 in) long, plus 60 cm (24 in) tail (Black-and-white ruffed lemur) to 50 cm (20 in) long plus 60 cm (24 in) tail (Red ruffed lemur)[115]

Habitats: Forest[116]

Diets: Fruit, nectar, and pollen, as well as leaves, flower, and seeds[115]
Close
Family Lepilemuridae

Members of the Lepilemuridae family are lepilemurids, or colloquially sportive lemurs. Lepilemuridae comprises 25 extant species in a single genus.

More information Name, Authority and species ...
Not assigned to a named subfamily – one genus
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Lepilemur
(sportive lemur)

Thumb

 Geoffroy, 1851

25 species
 Madagascar
Thumb		 Size range: 23 cm (9 in) long, plus 26 cm (10 in) tail (Gray-backed sportive lemur) to 41 cm (16 in) long plus 27 cm (11 in) tail (Hawks' sportive lemur)[117]

Habitats: Forest[117]

Diets: Leaves, vines, fruit, flowers, spiders, and insects, as well as seeds, pollen, latex, and bark[117]
Close

Superfamily Lorisoidea

Main article: List of lorisoids
Family Galagidae

Members of the Galagidae family are galagids, or colloquially galagos or bush babies. Galagidae comprises nineteen extant species in six genera.

More information Name, Authority and species ...
Not assigned to a named subfamily – six genera
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Euoticus
(needle-clawed bushbaby)

Thumb

 Gray, 1863

Two species
 Western equatorial Africa Size range: 18–33 cm (7–13 in) long, plus 28–31 cm (11–12 in) tail (Northern needle-clawed bushbaby)[118]

Habitats: Forest[118]

Diets: Tree gums and resins, as well as invertebrates[118]
Galago
(lesser bushbaby)

Thumb

 É Geoffroy, 1796

Four species
 Equatorial and southern Africa Size range: 13–21 cm (5–8 in) long, plus 19–30 cm (7–12 in) tail (Senegal bushbaby)[119]

Habitats: Forest and savanna[120]

Diets: Invertebrates, fruit, flowers, and gum, as well as small birds, eggs, and seeds[119]
Galagoides
(western dwarf galago)

Thumb

 A. Smith, 1833

Three species
 Western and central equatorial Africa Size range: 10 cm (4 in) long, plus 15 cm (6 in) tail (Prince Demidoff's bushbaby) to 18 cm (7 in) long plus 21 cm (8 in) tail (Angolan dwarf galago)[121]

Habitats: Forest and shrubland[122]

Diets: Insects, as well as fruit, gum, small vertebrates, tree buds, and leaves[121]
Otolemur
(greater galago)

Thumb

 Coquerel, 1859

Two species
 Southern and eastern Africa Size range: 23 cm (9 in) long, plus 36 cm (14 in) tail (Northern greater galago) to 38 cm (15 in) long plus 48 cm (19 in) tail (Brown greater galago)[123]

Habitats: Forest, shrubland, and savanna[124]

Diets: Gum, sap, fruit, and insects[123]
Paragalago
(eastern dwarf galago)

Thumb

 Masters, Génin, Couette, Groves, Nash, Delpero, & Pozzi, 2017

Five species
 Southeastern Africa Size range: 10 cm (4 in) long, plus 17 cm (7 in) tail (Rondo dwarf galago) to 19 cm (7 in) long plus 27 cm (11 in) tail (Grant's bushbaby)[125]

Habitats: Forest[126]

Diets: Fruit, gum, nectar, invertebrates, small vertebrates, and flowers[125]
Sciurocheirus
(squirrel galago)

Thumb

 Waterhouse, 1838

Three species
 Western equatorial Africa Size range: 15–24 cm (6–9 in) long, plus 20–30 cm (8–12 in) tail (Bioko Allen's bushbaby)[127]

Habitats: Forest[128]

Diets: Arthropods, insects, fruit, and gum, as well as small mammals[127]
Close
Family Lorisidae

Members of the Lorisidae family are lorisids, and include lorises, pottos and angwantibos. Lorisidae comprises sixteen extant species in five genera, and is divided into the subfamilies Lorisinae, or lorises, and Perodicticinae, or the angwantibos and pottos.

More information Name, Authority and species ...
Subfamily Lorisinae – Gray, 1821 – three genera
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Loris
(slender loris)

Thumb

 É Geoffroy, 1796

Two species
 Sri Lanka and Southern India Size range: 18 cm (7 in) long with no tail (Gray slender loris) to 26 cm (10 in) long with no tail (Red slender loris)[129]

Habitats: Forest[130]

Diets: Insects, as well as tree frogs, geckos, small birds, eggs, and fruit[129]
Nycticebus
(slow loris)

Thumb

 É Geoffroy, 1812

Eight species
 Southeastern Asia (blue and brown)
Thumb		 Size range: 26 cm (10 in) long with no tail (Bangka slow loris) to 38 cm (15 in) long, with vestigial tail (Bengal slow loris)[131]

Habitats: Forest[132]

Diets: Resin, sap, gum, nectar, stems, fruit, invertebrates, lizards, bark, and bird eggs[131]
Xanthonycticebus

Thumb

 Nekaris & Nijman, 2022

One species
 Southeastern Asia
Thumb		 Size: 15–25 cm (6–10 in) long, with no tail[133]

Habitats: Forest[134]

Diet: Insects, gum, resin, fruit, and bamboo[133]
Close
More information Name, Authority and species ...
Subfamily Perodicticinae – Gray, 1870 – two genera
Name Authority and species Range Size and ecology
Arctocebus
(angwantibo)

Thumb

 Gray, 1863

Two species
 Western equatorial Africa Size range: 22 cm (9 in) long, plus vestigial tail (Golden angwantibo) to 31 cm (12 in) long plus 10 cm (4 in) tail (Calabar angwantibo)[135]

Habitats: Forest[136]

Diets: Insects and fruit, as well as gum[135]
Perodicticus
(potto)

Thumb

 Bennett, 1831

Three species
 Western and central Africa
Thumb		 Size range: 29 cm (11 in) long, plus 4 cm (2 in) tail (East African potto) to 39 cm (15 in) long plus 10 cm (4 in) tail (West African potto)[137]

Habitats: Forest[138]

Diets: Fruit, gum, nectar, invertebrates, and eggs, as well as moss and small vertebrates[137]
Close

References

Sources

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