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What is the major physical difference between old work monkeys and new world monkeys?

User Tiborg
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2 Answers

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Final answer:

Old World monkeys have narrow noses and nonprehensile tails, while New World monkeys feature broad noses and prehensile tails, with behavioral differences in social bonds and parental care.

Step-by-step explanation:

The major physical difference between Old World and New World monkeys is their nasal structures and tail use. Old World monkeys, found in Africa and Asia, have narrow, downward-pointed noses (catarrhine noses) and nonprehensile tails, which can sometimes be reduced in size or have ischial callosities. In comparison, New World monkeys from the Americas have broad, flat noses (platyrrhine noses) and most species have prehensile tails used for gripping while they move through the trees. Additionally, there are social and behavioral differences, with New World monkeys often forming pair bonds and raising young cooperatively, while Old World monkeys generally do not form monogamous relationships and exhibit sexual dimorphism, with size differences between the sexes.

User Rohit Salecha
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Answer & Explanation:
- One of the biggest differences between these two groups of monkeys is their tails. On one hand, some species of New World monkeys possess prehensile tails, meaning they can use their tails to grasp or hold on to objects. Their tails can aid these monkeys in finding and eating food in the canopy as well as moving amongst the trees, as their tails provide extra support and balance.

- On the other hand, Old World monkeys all have tails, but they lack the ability to grasp objects. However, some Old World monkeys have pads called ischial callosities surrounding their hind region. As these monkeys tend to spend more time on the ground than their arboreal New World counterparts, these calloused areas of skin provide support when they sit to feed or rest.

I hope this helped! :)
User Francesc Rosas
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