Primates - The Differences?

Question

What exactly differentiates Monkeys, Apes, Orang-utans, and Gorillas? I know them by sight, but what are the true noted definitions?

oooh-ooh-ooohhh!

Answer 1

Ok, first thing to understand is that while some of these terms correspond to scientifically defined groups (=taxa) of animals, others may have different meanings in popular use.

1) A monkey is any member of the order Primates, which includes us along with the other greater apes, and animals as different as the lemurs, lorises, marmosets, galagos, gibbons, etc.
The Primates share specific characters (see the link below for more info), and in turn comprise different lineages (=groups of species with similar evolutionary history).
The Strepsirhini are arboreal, and have some primitive characteristics (which doesn't mean that they're not specialized). The loris, lemurs, and tarsiers, among others, belong to this group.

2) The "higher" primates are all the Haplorhines, but we don't call all these "apes". This term usually designates a subgroup within the Catarrhines (the Haplorhines with nose openings directed downward and close together, among other characteristics). We tend to think of "apes" as "monkeys without long tails". Thus, cercopithecids (colobos, drills, guenons and their relatives) are not considered apes, but the rest of the Catarrhines, namely the hylobatids (gibbons) and hominids (gorillas, chimps, orangutan and man), are "apes". The gibbons are called "lesser apes", and the gorilla, orangutan and chimps are "greater apes". Of course, man should be included among the greater apes too.

3) and 4) Lastly, orangutan and gorilla are names of species. The orangutans are Pongo pygmaeus, and the gorillas are Gorilla gorilla (with a few subspecies).

I hope this helps. You can find more information and a complete classification scheme at the Animal Diversity Web:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Primates.html

Answer 2

teeth! the dentition of each species is unique. fossils of primates can be identified and classified according to structure and number of teeth. Diet of each species also helps to identify their uniqueness and this goes hand in hand with their dentition. Apart from this visual clues are also evident, mostly by there skeletal shapes. to give a simple explanation of definition of each species is not possible except monkeys have tails where apes do not. Orangs, chimps and gorillas are also apes. man is derived from a common ape ancestor. but is classified as hominid.

Answer 3

It depends on the environment they are born into. Some live high in the trees, others on the ground. Some live in family groups others are more solitary.
Check out a programme called Monkey Business on the animal planet. It is all about primates living in Dorset that were all rescued from either the pet trade, entertainment fields or foreign zoos etc. that were cruel to them.

It is must-see TV. It really makes you realise how closely related we really are to these animals.
The keeprs, ecpecially one called Jeremy, have acheived really close relationships with all of the primates living there (must be around 100 in total).

Answer 4

oooh literary evidence as translated through about four different languages by ( forgive the pun ) God knows how many different people.....

go and bury your head in the sand somewhere else Bible boy...you don't belong on the internet...the irony of your position is nothing short of delicious - if the church had had its way the internet wouldn't exist, since science ( i.e. our ability to manipulate the universe around us ) would have been restricted to lighting fires under witches ( i.e. those who opposed or questioned the biblical interpretation prevalent at the time )...

Answer 5

Monkeys are distinct from apes by having tails. Gorillas, chimps, orangutans and humans are all apes - none of them have tails. Gorillas, chimps and humans share a common ancestor that is distinct from the ancestor of orangutans. Among gorillas, chimps and humans, the two most closely related are chimps and humans, which share a common ancestor.

Answer 6

To correct a false answer above - humans are not apes and do not share a common ancestor.

Many believe it but it is not supported by the evidence (see below), and is a philosophical/religious view.

Man is man.

Answer 7

None of them can show the "O" face.

Answer 8

sorry dont know .///////////////