Cercopithecoidea is the superfamily of Old World monkeys, a major primate group within the infraorder Catarrhini (which also includes apes and humans). It is central to anthropology, primatology, and evolutionary biology because it represents one of the two great branches of higher primates.

🌍 Definition & Taxonomy

• Superfamily: Cercopithecoidea (Old World monkeys).
• Families Included:
  • Cercopithecidae (the only living family, subdivided into two subfamilies):
    • Cercopithecinae (baboons, macaques, vervets, guenons, patas monkeys).
    • Colobinae (colobus monkeys, langurs, proboscis monkeys).
• Distribution: Africa and Asia, with some species extending into Gibraltar (Barbary macaques).

🔑 Characteristics

• Nasal Structure: Narrow, downward-facing nostrils (catarrhine trait).
• Dentition: Bilophodont molars (two transverse ridges), adapted for grinding plant matter.
• Tail: Non-prehensile (unlike many New World monkeys).
• Diet:
  • Cercopithecinae: Omnivorous, cheek pouches for food storage.
  • Colobinae: Primarily folivorous, with specialized stomachs for digesting leaves.
• Social Systems:
  • Baboons: Large, complex troops with dominance hierarchies.
  • Colobus: Smaller, leaf-eating groups with territorial behavior.

📚 Importance in Anthropology & Evolutionary Biology

• Evolutionary Insight:
  • Diverged from apes ~25 million years ago.
  • Fossil cercopithecoids help trace primate evolution in Africa and Eurasia.
• Behavioral Studies:
  • Macaques and baboons are models for studying sociality, aggression, and cooperation.
  • Vervets are famous for their alarm calls, showing proto-language communication.
• Human Connection:
  • Comparative anatomy and behavior illuminate aspects of human evolution.
• Conservation:
  • Many species are threatened by habitat loss, hunting, and human conflict.

In short: Cercopithecoidea is the superfamily of Old World monkeys—including baboons, macaques, colobus, and langurs—central to primate taxonomy, ecology, and human evolutionary studies.