Old World monkeys are primates of the family Cercopithecidae, a diverse and widespread group native to Africa and Asia. They are characterized by narrow, downward-facing nostrils (catarrhine condition), non-prehensile tails (when present), and ischial callosities that facilitate sitting. Cercopithecidae is divided into two subfamilies: Cercopithecinae (generally omnivorous, often cheek-pouched species such as macaques and baboons) and Colobinae (primarily folivorous, foregut-fermenting species such as colobus and langurs). Members exhibit complex social structures, marked sexual dimorphism in many taxa, and play important roles as model organisms in behavioral, ecological, and biomedical research.
Dominant baboons rule the troops by day, but at night, they may pay a hidden cost. A study led by Swansea University has found that higher-ranking baboons get less and more fragmented rest at night than their lower-ranked ...
Plants & Animals
Dec 15, 2025
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