Tarsiers are a great example of the difficulties of classification. On the one hand they are seemingly less complex than anthropoids. On the other, they have clearly derived traits that are shared with anthropoids.
a) Similar to prosimian tarsiers are nocturnal , with large eyes, and mobile ears, two part mandible and have toilet claws on foot.
similar to anthropoids are large upper central incisors, small lower incisors, and large canines and dry and furry nose , hemochorial placenta .
b) unique derived trait of tarsiers are each eye ball is as large as their entire brain , eye sockets are protected by bony flanges extending away from the skull. presence of neck vertebrae allow the neck to rotate in 180 0. They have very elongated heel bones and foot bones. distal tibia and fibula are fused. They are the onlytotally carnivorous or insectivorous primates.
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