Chapter 16, Problem 11A

Summary Introduction

To classify:

The fossil of a primate that closely resembles a squirrel monkey into a group of anthropoids.

Introduction:

There are more than 200 species belonging to the group of primates. They are classified into two major subgroups; the strepsirrhines and the haplorhines. The strepsirrhines or the ‘wet nosed” primates are considered to be the most basic primates.The haplorhines or the “dry nosed” primates include the anthropoids or human- like primates and a unique primate called tarsier.

Answer to Problem 11A

Squirrel monkeyscan be placed in the group of New World monkeys under the anthropoids.

Explanation of Solution

The anthropoid monkeys are split into two groups; the New World monkeys and the Old World monkeys. New World refers to America and Old World refers to Africa, Asia, and Europe.

New World monkeys include squirrel monkeys, spider monkeys and capuchin monkeys. Old World monkeys include macaques and baboons in one group and colobus and proboscis monkeys in another group.