Introducing three of the brainiest genera (Cacajao, Chiropotes, Cebus) of South American monkeys
South American monkeys are quite unrelated to baboons (Papio, Mandrillus, and Theropithecus). However, some of them are brainier than baboons.
The brainiest of South American monkeys
- resemble apes in using tools, sharing food, and showing cognitive empathy in other ways. despite being far smaller-bodied than apes and retaining tails, and
exceed apes in encephalisation.
Three of the brainiest genera of South American monkeys are- Cacajao (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&subview=map&taxon_id=43652&view=species),
- Chiropotes (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&subview=map&taxon_id=43649&view=species), and
- Cebus (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&subview=map&taxon_id=43429&view=species).
Since most people familiar with African primates may be unfamiliar with South American monkeys, I show a few examples of photographs of these genera.
The main point to note is that the faces are more human-like than those of most Old World monkeys, despite the facts that
- all of these monkeys are rather small (about the size of the domestic cat), and
- their noses are strange in that the nostrils face to the sides.
The diminutive body-size of all South American monkeys is puzzling.
However, if one zooms in on them, one notices that some of in their facial features exceed apes in resembling humans.
In particular, the eyes of Cebus are different from those of most monkeys in showing the eye-whites expressively as the gaze shifts.
It is no exaggeration that the monkeys shown below rival chimpanzees in braininess.
Furthermore, to my eye their faces are at least as human-like as those of chimpanzees.
However, to see this, one has to get down to their scale.
Cacajao:
https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/24/bald-headed-uacari-cacajao-calvus/
Cacajao:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-red-uakari-monkey-cacajao-calvus-ucayalii-71535676.html
Cacajao:
http://cdn2.arkive.org/media/8B/8B47CF2E-D189-4BF0-93FF-84BA03BFB2B2/Presentation.Large/Red-bald-headed-uakari-on-branch.jpg
Cacajao:
http://www.canlilaralemi.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/ukari6.jpg
Chiropotes:
http://www.leszoosdanslemonde.com/gal2data/albums/mammiferes/primates/pitheciidae/pitheciinae/chiropotes_chiropotes/colchester_chiropotes_chiropotes_2011_7.jpg
Chiropotes:
http://s3.zoochat.com.s3.amazonaws.com/large/chiropotes_satanas_25-2248.jpg
Cebus:
http://wikivillage.co.za/sites/default/files/media/monkeyland/tufted-or-brown-capuchin-monkey-cebus-apella10.jpg
Cebus:
http://disquedenuncia.org.br/uploaded/imgs/noticias/2_3_2016__0_10036_medium.jpg
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