The earliest primates

Remarkable new fossil discoveries and intensive study of fossil evidence has led, during the past decade, and particularly the last few years, to exceptional advances and modifications in our understanding of early primate evolution. New insights have also come from research on extant primates, especially detailed anatomical, functional, and molecular studies. This review, however, focuses on the paleontological evidence. New fossils are spawning novel, sometimes controversial ideas about the relationships within and among primates and their allies—a situation that has caused temporary instability, but should eventually lead to elucidation, if not resolution, of outstanding problems.