Prosimii refers to a taxonomic category, often referred to as a suborder, within the order Primates. The word "prosimii" comes from Latin, where it literally means "before monkeys." Historically, the term was used to describe a group of primates that were considered to be less advanced or more primitive than monkeys and apes.
However, the taxonomic classification has evolved over time, and the category Prosimii is no longer used in modern classifications. Instead, primates that were formerly classified under Prosimii are now typically divided into two separate groups: Strepsirrhini and Haplorhini.
Strepsirrhini includes several primate species such as lemurs, lorises, and bushbabies. These primates are characterized by their wet rhinarium (moist, furless nose tip) and their reliance on their sense of smell. They also possess traits such as a toothcomb made up of their lower front teeth, a grooming claw, and a long snout.
Haplorhini, on the other hand, is a group that includes tarsiers, monkeys, and apes, including humans. Haplorhini primates do not possess a wet rhinarium and generally rely more on their vision than sense of smell.
Overall, while the term Prosimii was once used to categorize less advanced primate species, it is no longer used in modern taxonomic classifications, and the primate species it once encompassed are now divided between the groups Strepsirrhini and Haplorhini.
