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Primates - Meaning, Classification, Characteristics, and Examples

Primates are mammals that belong to the order Therapsid. The article below provides Primates NEET Biology Notes for NEET aspirants, including its classification, examples and characteristics.
authorImageKrati Saraswat31 May, 2025
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Primates

Primates: A primate is any mammal belonging to a group that includes lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, monkeys, apes, and humans. This group, known as the order Primates, comprises over 500 species, making it the third most diverse mammalian order, following rodents (Rodentia) and bats (Chiroptera). While there are distinct differences between primate groups, they share many anatomical and functional characteristics that reflect their common evolutionary origins.

The animal kingdom's taxonomic hierarchy includes organisms with advanced evolutionary characteristics in the class Mammalia, which is part of the phylum Vertebrata. This class is further subdivided into 19 subcategories known as orders. The order Primates includes eutherian mammals such as monkeys and apes. The following article describes the classification, characteristics, and detailed NEET biology notes for primates.

Primates Meaning

Primates are a diverse order of mammals that includes humans, apes, monkeys, and prosimians. They are the third most diverse mammalian order, with over 500 distinct species. These creatures have larger brains and rely more heavily on vision than other mammals. They have some characteristics in common, including solitary or paired feeding habits, specialized eyes and ears for protection, dental structures and physical strength for predator defense. Primates are divided into two groups: strepsirrhines and haplorhines. Strepsirrhines include lemurs, galagos, and lorisids, whereas haplorhines include tarsiers and simians. Primates share significant genetic similarities due to their evolution from a common ancestor over the last 60 million years. They are found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of the New and Old Worlds.  However, approximately 60% of primate species are threatened with extinction, and approximately 75% are experiencing population decline. These challenges result from global and local market demands that drive habitat destruction.

Mammary Glands

Primates Classification

The classification of primates is based on various taxonomic ranks, including order, suborder, infraorder, parvorder, and superfamily. Primates are broadly divided into two suborders: Strepsirrhini and Haplorhini. The Haplorhini suborder includes tarsiers, monkeys, and apes, while the Strepsirrhini suborder includes lemurs, lorises, and galagos.
Primates Classification
Taxonomic Rank Group Examples
Order Primates Humans, apes, monkeys, lemurs, lorises
Suborder Strepsirrhini Lemurs, lorises, galagos
  Haplorhini Tarsiers, monkeys, apes
Infraorder Tarsiiformes Tarsiers
  Simiiformes Monkeys, apes
Parvorder Platyrrhini New World monkeys
  Catarrhini Old World monkeys, apes
Superfamily Hominoidea Apes (including humans)

Okazaki Fragments

Primates Characteristics

Primates constitute a category of mammals sharing several defining traits:
  1. Forward-facing Eyes: Primates typically possess frontally positioned eyes, affording them binocular vision and depth perception. This feature aids in activities like hunting and navigating complex terrains.
  2. Grasping Hands and Feet: Primates often boast hands and feet with opposable thumbs and toes, facilitating object manipulation, tool use, and tree climbing.
  3. Large Brains: Primates tend to have relatively large brains compared to other mammals of similar size. This increased brain size is linked to enhanced cognitive abilities, including problem-solving, communication, and social interaction.
  4. Complex Social Structures: Many primate species exhibit group living with complex social hierarchies. These groups engage in complex social behaviours such as grooming, playing, and forming alliances.
  5. Behavioral Flexibility: Primates exhibit various behaviors and can adapt to different environments. This adaptability enables them to thrive in habitats ranging from tropical rainforests to arid savannahs.
  6. Dietary Versatility : Primates are omnivorous, consuming various foods such as fruits, leaves, insects, and small animals. This dietary flexibility allows them to exploit diverse food resources.
Collectively, these characteristics make primates a remarkably adaptable and successful group of mammals that live in a wide variety of ecosystems around the world.

Primates Examples

There are many captivating primates in the world. The following are some examples of primates:
Lemurs: Indigenous to Madagascar, lemurs exhibit various shapes and sizes. They are renowned for their large eyes, which aid in nocturnal vision, and their lengthy, bushy tails. Certain lemurs, such as the Aye-Aye, boast distinct adaptations tailored to their dietary needs.
Monkeys: Monkeys constitute a diverse and extensive group of primates inhabiting Africa, Asia, and South America. They exhibit various physical characteristics and social behaviours. Some notable examples include chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and spider monkeys.
Apes: Apes, the largest primates, are closely related to humans. They demonstrate high intelligence and problem-solving abilities. Examples of apes include chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and bonobos.
Tarsiers: These diminutive primates reside in Southeast Asia. Characterized by their large eyes, long digits, and tails, tarsiers are nocturnal creatures that primarily feed on insects. This overview only scratched the surface of primates' diversity.  While all primates have forward-facing eyes, opposable thumbs, and large brains, they have evolved unique adaptations that allow them to thrive in various environments. Physics Wallah's NEET online coaching helps students prepare for the NEET exam effectively. Students connect with expert teachers and receive study materials, practice questions, and mock tests. Join Now!
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Primates FAQs

Q 1. What characterizes a primate?

Ans. Primates are a biological order that includes prosimians, monkeys, apes, and humans. They are distinguished from other mammals by their large brains and a heightened reliance on vision, which enables depth perception.

Q 2. Are humans considered primates?

Ans. Yes, humans are classified as primates, a diverse group comprising around 200 species. Monkeys, lemurs, and apes are our evolutionary cousins, all originating from a common ancestor over the past 60 million years.

Q 3. Who coined the term "primates"?

Ans. The term "primates" was coined by Carolus Linnaeus in 1758, the renowned biologist who established the animal and plant classification system. Linnaeus grouped lemurs and bats together with monkeys, apes, and humans, naming the entire group "Primates."

Q 4. What is the origin of the name "primates"?

Ans. The English term "primates" is derived from the Old French or French word "primat," which stems from the Latin "primat-," originating from "primus" meaning "first rank" or "highest." Linnaeus chose this name because he considered primates to be the highest order of animals.

Q 5. Where do primates inhabit?

Ans. Primates, except for humans, primarily inhabit tropical or subtropical regions. However, some species can also be found in semi-deserts, swamps, cold mountainous regions, rocky cliffs, and even urban environments.
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