Final answer:
The arrival of the first Platyrrhine monkeys in South America is a topic in the field of Biology. Platyrrhine monkeys are a group of New World monkeys that evolved from monkeys in the Old World and reached South America through drifting on log rafts or crossing land bridges. They are characterized by their broad noses and prehensile tails.
Step-by-step explanation:
The arrival of the first Platyrrhine monkeys in South America is a topic in the field of Biology. Platyrrhine monkeys are a group of New World monkeys that are found in Central and South America. They are characterized by their broad noses and prehensile tails.
The exact origins of New World monkeys are still uncertain, but it is believed that they evolved from monkeys in the Old World (Africa and Asia) and reached South America by either drifting on log rafts or crossing land bridges when the continents had drifted apart. This reproductive isolation led to separate adaptive radiations in New World monkeys and Old World monkeys.
The arboreal habits of New World monkeys are reflected in their possession of prehensile tails, which they use for extra support when moving in the trees. On the other hand, Old World monkeys have non-prehensile tails or no tails at all.