Cebidae

/sɛˈbaɪdi/ noun

Definition

The scientific family name for New World monkeys, including capuchins and howler monkeys that live in Central and South America.

Etymology

From Tupi 'cébola' via Portuguese 'cebo', referring to the fatty or greasy appearance of these monkeys; -idae is the Latin suffix used to name animal families in scientific classification.

Kelly Says

The Cebidae are remarkable because they're the only monkeys in the Americas—they either evolved separately there or arrived millions of years ago on floating vegetation, making them a completely different branch of primates from African and Asian monkeys.

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