ANTH 1-Physical Anthropology
Handout: Primate Taxonomy


I. Order Primates
    A. Suborder Prosimii (lemurs, lorises & tarsiers)
            a. Superfamily Lemuroidea (lemurs)
            b. Superfamily Lorisoidea (lorises)
            c. Superfamily Tarsioidea (tarsier)

    B. Suborder Anthropoidea (monkeys, apes and humans)
        1. Infraorder Platyrrhini (New World anthropoids)
            a. Superfamily Ceboidea (New World monkeys)
                (1) Family Cebidae (typical NW monkeys)
                    (a) e.g. squirrel, spider & howler monkeys
                (2) Family Callitrichidae (marmosets, tamarins)

        2. Infraorder Catarrhini (Old World anthropoids)
            a. Superfamily Cercopithecoidea (OW monkeys)
                (1) Family Cercopithecidae (OW monkeys)
                    (a) Subfamily Cercopithecinae
                            i) e.g. baboons, macaques
                    (b) Subfamily Colobinae
                            i) e.g. colobus, langur monkeys
            b. Superfamily Hominoidea (apes and humans)
                (1) Family Hylobatidae (lesser apes)
                            i) Hylobates (gibbons and siamangs)
                (2) Family Pongidae (great apes)
                            i) Pongo (orang-utan)
                            ii) Gorilla (gorilla)
                            iii) Pan (chimpanzee)
                (3) Family Hominidae (humans)
                            i) Homo sapiens (us)
 

There are several primate taxonomies in the literature. This one is the "Traditional Primate Taxonomy." Some textbooks may present taxonomies which do not match the one listed in this site. Be aware that for the purposes of tests, exams, and/or the Final, the traditional taxonomy listed here will take precedence.
 

I present The following "Know-it-All" list of Extant Primates in this document here.

Questions? Comments? Corrections?? email me!