Platyrrhini

Platyrrhini are a suborder of primates that includes New World monkeys from South and Central America. They are distinguished from other primates by their wide noses and nostrils, prehensile tails and flat fingernails. Platyrrhini have a wide variety of characteristics and behaviors, ranging from mantled howlers and black spider monkeys that live in large groups to marmosets and tamarins that live in smaller ones. They are important to studies of ecology, biology and evolution and are also important animals in medical and psychological research. They also serve as important sources of food and sustenance for local populations in many parts of South America. Platyrrhini are an important part of natural ecosystems, providing food and sustenance for many animals, including birds and other mammals.