While the broader primate world includes lemurs and lorises, anthropoids are distinguished by their larger brains, complex social lives, and flat-faced features. Here is a look at what makes this branch of the evolutionary tree so special.
This group includes everything from macaques to humans. We are characterized by downward-pointing nostrils and, in the case of apes, the complete absence of a tail. Where Do Humans Fit In? anthropoidea
Unlike their "lower primate" relatives (the strepsirrhines), anthropoids have several unique evolutionary traits: While the broader primate world includes lemurs and
The Anthropoidea are generally split into two major groups based on where they evolved: We are characterized by downward-pointing nostrils and, in
It is a common misconception that humans evolved from modern monkeys. In reality, we are anthropoids. We share a common ancestor with chimpanzees from about 6 million years ago. Every time you use a tool or recognize a friend’s facial expression, you are using biological "hardware" that has been refining itself within the anthropoid lineage for tens of millions of years.
Unlike the "wet-nosed" lemurs, anthropoids have dry noses and highly mobile upper lips, allowing for a wide range of facial expressions. A Tale of Two Worlds
Our eyes are positioned forward for 3D depth perception, crucial for navigating trees or pinpointing tools.