old world species

[torie]

i know i could just google this or go to the library but i figured i would ask here first. What is the definition of an old world species? for example when primates such as olive Baboons are reffered to as old world primates what exactly does that mean?

i hope that makes sense if not im sorry and ill go look it up at school!

thanks

 

[CZJimmy]

Old World = Africa,Asia etc
New World = The Americas

I think so anyway...

 

[Writhedhornbill]

That was what I thought Old world was Jimmy!

 

[bongorob]

The two groups are quite different biologically.

Old World monkeys
cattarhine i.e the nostrils face downwards.

they have eight premolars

the tail is not prehensile

they are medium to large sized primates

New World monkeys
platyrrhine i.e the nostrils face sideways

they have twelve premolars

the tail is prehensile

they are small to medium sized primates

Jimmy and Hornbill you are correct in the definition of old world and new world.

 

[Newzooboy]

The new world (The Americas) is known as such because before Columbus (ish) only Europe, Asia & Africa (and not all of that really) had been 'discovered' by westerners. Upon the discovery of America it was termed 'The New World'.

 

[torie]

thanks for all your help guys! much appreciated