Final answer:
Anthropoids are not as old as strepsirrhines, which are considered to be an earlier branch of primate evolution. Strepsirrhines appeared around 55 million years ago, preceding anthropoids, which evolved shortly after. Both groups have ancient and separate evolutionary histories.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question whether anthropoids could be as old as strepsirrhines pertains to the evolutionary timeline of primates. Strepsirrhines, which represent an earlier branch of primate evolution, include primitive primates like lemurs, lorises, and others which exhibit specific traits such as a grooming claw and a toothcomb. Whereas, anthropoids include later evolving primates such as monkeys, apes, and humans; these primates generally show adaptations for diurnal activity and larger brain size compared to strepsirrhines.
It is well established that strepsirrhines are older, believed to have diverged from the common primate ancestor before anthropoids. However, both groups have ancient lineages with their own unique evolutionary histories. The earliest strepsirrhines are known from approximately 55 million years ago, and while the fossil record is less clear for the earliest anthropoids, they are believed to have appeared shortly after strepsirrhines. Thus, the two groups are not of the same age, but they both have ancient origins, dating back millions of years.