Question

What were the four major periods of primate evolution?

Answer 1

The four major periods of primate evolution are the Paleocene Epoch, Eocene Epoch, Oligocene Epoch, and Miocene Epoch.

Step-by-step explanation:

The four major periods of primate evolution are:

1. Paleocene Epoch (approximately 65 MYA to 54 MYA): This epoch offers the first record of the earliest primates, with Purgatorius being a potential common ancestor.
2. Eocene Epoch (approximately 55 MYA to 34 MYA): This epoch saw the emergence of the first true primates, resembling present-day prosimians such as lemurs.
3. Oligocene Epoch (approximately 34 MYA to 22 MYA): The first fossil monkeys appeared during this epoch, and they are believed to be the earliest New World and Old World monkeys.
4. Miocene Epoch (approximately 23 MYA to 5 MYA): Apes evolved during this epoch from catarrhine primates in Africa.