Evolutionary and Genetic Biology of Primates: Volume I

The Order Primates groups together many different forms that live in a wide range of ecological provinces in Asia, Africa, Madagascar, Central America, and South America. The fossil remains of many kinds of Primates are found in Europe and North America as well as in the places where living forms occur. Only certain Pacific Islands, notably Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and the islands of Oceania, have not produced evidence of occupation by Primates before the arrival of the genus Homo on their shores. The present distribution of most Primates is primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. The genus Homo is an exception to this, as are the macaques of Japan, and certain monkeys of Asia whose ranges extend into the temperate latitudes of the northern part of India and the southern part of China.