prosimian (redirected from Prosimians)

pro·sim·i·an  (pr-sm-n)

adj.

Of or belonging to the Prosimii, a suborder of primates that includes the lemurs, lorises, and tarsiers.

n.

A primate of the suborder Prosimii.

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[From New Latin Prosmi, suborder name : Latin pro-, before; see pro-¹ + Latin smi, pl. of smius, ape (variant of smia; see simian).]

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prosimian  (pr-sm-n)

Any of various primates of the suborder Strepsirrhini (formerly Prosimii), considered the most primitive primates. Prosimians have a moist, bare muzzle and a retina that lacks a fovea but is backed by a reflective layer that increases night vision. Unlike other primates, female prosimians do not menstruate because the lining of their uteri is not built up each month to prepare for possible pregnancy. Prosimians are mostly small in size, and include the lemurs, aye-ayes, indris, and lorises. The tarsiers were once classified as prosimians but are now considered more closely related to the monkeys and apes. Compare simian.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

prosimian - primitive primates having large ears and eyes and characterized by nocturnal habits primate - any placental mammal of the order Primates; has good eyesight and flexible hands and feet Prosimii, suborder Prosimii - not used in all classifications; in some classifications considered coextensive with the Lemuroidea; in others includes both Lemuroidea and Tarsioidea