Anthropoidea

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.

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. anthropoidea

Found in Central and South America, these monkeys often have flat, broad noses and prehensile tails that act like a fifth limb. It is a common misconception that humans evolved

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? Every time you use a tool or recognize

With long fingers and nearly perfect thumbs, anthropoids are masters of manipulation, using their hands as versatile tools.

Have you ever wondered what connects a tiny squirrel monkey in the Amazon to a silverback gorilla in Africa—and ultimately to you? The answer lies in the Anthropoidea (or simians), the fascinating suborder of "higher primates" that includes monkeys, apes, and humans.

The Anthropoidea are generally split into two major groups based on where they evolved: