Tarsiiformes

Tarsiiformes are a special group of primates. They used to live across Europe, northern Africa, Asia, and North America. Today, the only living members, called tarsiers, are found on the islands of Southeast Asia. Tarsiers belong to the family Tarsiidae. They are the only living members of a group called the infraorder.

There were other ancient tarsier-like creatures, such as Tarsius eocaenus from the Eocene and Tarsius thailandicus from the Miocene. There were also two extinct groups, Xanthorhysis and Afrotarsius. Scientists think these are close relatives of today's tarsiers.

Some other ancient primates, like those in the families Microchoeridae, Carpolestidae, and Eosimiidae, have sometimes been included with Tarsiiformes. This is debated among scientists. Many experts now think Eosimiidae might be early relatives of monkeys and apes. They are placed in a group called Simiiformes. Carpolestidae is often considered part of another group called Plesiadapiformes. These were close, ancient relatives of primates.

These different ideas show how much scientists are still learning about the early history of primates. Where Tarsiiformes fit into the bigger family tree of primates, especially their place near Haplorhini (which includes monkeys and apes), is still being discussed and studied.

Classification

Main article: List of tarsiiformes

The Tarsiiformes group includes living tarsiers and several types of primates that are no longer alive. As haplorhines, they are more closely related to monkeys and apes than to strepsirrhine primates like lemurs, galagos, and lorises.

This group has several families and types, including the extinct Archicebidae and Omomyidae. Within Omomyidae are three smaller groups: Anaptomorphinae, Microchoerinae, and Omomyinae. The living tarsiers are part of the family Tarsiidae, which also includes extinct types like Afrotarsius and Xanthorhysis, as well as the current types Tarsius, Cephalopachus, and Carlito.