Platyrrhine

Platyrrhine refers to a infraorder of primates that comprises all New World monkeys. These monkeys are native to Central and South America, inhabiting a wide range of environments from rainforests to savannas. A defining characteristic of platyrrhines is the presence of broad, flat noses with outward-facing nostrils, a feature that distinguishes them from their Old World monkey counterparts. Many platyrrhine species also possess prehensile tails, which are strong and flexible enough to grasp branches, acting as a fifth limb. This adaptation is particularly useful for arboreal locomotion and foraging. Their diet is typically omnivorous, consisting of fruits, insects, leaves, and sometimes small vertebrates. Platyrrhines exhibit a diverse array of sizes and social structures, from the small marmosets and tamarins to the larger howler monkeys and spider monkeys. They are distinguished from catarrhines (Old World monkeys and apes) by several anatomical features, including the presence of three premolars instead of two and the absence of ischial callosities, which are hardened pads on the buttocks found in many catarrhines. The evolutionary divergence of platyrrhines from other primates is thought to have occurred through oceanic dispersal from Africa to South America millions of years ago.