Here is an article that I have just written for a fantastic site called Nikela
Primates are found more or less on every area of land on the planet, however, if we remove Homo sapiens (Humans) from the picture, the distribution of primates becomes far more localised. The non-human primates are localised primarily to tropical/sub-tropical forests and woodland, although a few species have adapted to Savannah and montane habitats. The primate order can be split into two main groups, prosimians (i.e. lemurs, bushbabies and tarsiers) and the simians (i.e. monkeys and true apes such as Humans, the chimpanzee and gorilla). Primates can further be split up into four main groups;
- New world monkeys
- Old world monkeys
The new world monkeys are found throughout the forest regions of South and central America and are easily distinguished from their old world cousins by their flat noses and prehensile (capable of grasping) tails. They include Tamarins, marmosets and spider monkeys. There are at least 53 species of new world monkey currently known to science. Over a third of all new world monkeys are in serious danger of becoming extinct as a direct result of the intensification of agriculture, logging, ranching and hydroelectric projects. Hunting both for food and the pet trade (although not as intense as found in Africa and Asia) adds further pressure onto declining populations.
Silvery marmoset, a new world monkey. Photograph taken by the Durrell Wildlife Consevation Trust
Old world monkeys are found throughout Asia and Africa and unlike their new world cousins they have non-prehensile tails and downward facing nostrils as well as being generally larger. They include the proboscis monkey, snub nosed monkey, baboons and vervet monkey. There are at least 78 species of old world monkey currently known to science. Old world monkeys, like many other animal species are under threat as a result of competition with the most numerous primate species, the Homo sapiens. Competition for resources is the primary issue for old world monkeys as an ever increasing human population cuts down more forest and encroaches upon non human primate territory. Hunting of old world monkeys for the bushmeat trade is a serious issue and is having disastrous affects upon old world species, in particular those in west and central Africa such as the colobus monkey and guenons. The hunting is worsened by the encouraging of the activity by logging companies as a means to feed workers.
Credit: © The Field Museum, D. Quednau.
Apes are found in Africa and south east Asia and are easily distinguished from other primates by their lack of a tail and increased size (except for gibbons which are smaller than some monkeys). Apes are further split into two groups; Great apes (Humans, gorillas, orang-utans, chimpanzee etc) and lesser apes (gibbons). The lesser apes are found in South East Asia along with the great ape Orang-utan with the rest of the great apes found in Africa. There are 16 species of gibbon and all of them are threatened with extinction as a result of the loss of habitat to logging and agricultural expansion. All species of great ape are classified as endangered or worse as a direct result of deforestation and hunting.
Chimps, genetically humans’ closest relatives, live in family units and often use tools. Photograph by Michael Nichols
Prosimians are found on the island of Madagascar as well as being localised elsewhere in Africa and throughout Asia. They are a separate group from monkeys and apes and are considered the most ancient and primitive of the primates, indeed the name prosimians means before the monkeys. Compared to their other primate cousins they have larger eyes, elongated snouts and smaller brain cases. They include lemurs, bushbabies and tarsiers. Like all primate species under threat, prosimians face the same problems of hunting and habitat loss with lemurs facing the unique problem of only being found on the island of Madagascar where 80% of the original forest cover has been removed or degraded to a great extent and are thus a great conservation priority.
Philippine Tarsier, a prosimian
So the question at hand is why should we conserve them? Of course this question can be asked of any species and it often is, but it has particular relevance to primates as they are by their very scientific classification related to humans. The chimpanzee, a fellow great ape, shares 98.5% of our DNA and they are our closest living relative, with both humans and chimpanzees separating from a common ancestor just 6 million years ago (a relatively small time frame in evolutionary terms). The research potential for humans in unlocking our own evolutionary past through the study of primates is unparalleled and essential to our understanding of our own species. Primates also play key roles in ecology as seed dispersers for many important tree/shrub species and account for 25%-40% (biomass) of all frugivorous (fruit eating) species found within tropical rainforests. Their ecological role is essential for the functioning of many key ecosystems which humans rely on both within and outside forested areas. Primates are also important as part of the natural heritage of many countries and form an important component of this planets biodiversity and the biodiversity of many individual countries. With an ever increasing focus on the importance of biodiversity both ecologically and economically, there is a great need to reverse the downward trend in species loss, especially for keystone species such as a the great apes whose loss has a significantly negative impact on both the ecology of their home ranges and the humans who rely upon their ecological functions. The very simple message everyone needs to understand is increased biodiversity equals increased benefits for humans in every area, from health to economy, with the reverse equalling great losses for humans.