Biological Anthropology is the study of human biology within the framework of evolution. There are four subfields of Biological Anthropology; genetics, human variation, paleoanthropology, and primatology. Primatology is the study of non-human primates and I find it the most interesting of the four subfields. The study of Primatology focuses on the biological and psychological aspects of non-human primates. Also it looks at the similarities shared between humans and primates. Primatologists focus on studying and conducting research on primates in three main ways; field study, laboratory study, and through captivity. In captivity, they try to replicate natural primate habitat in a controlled captive setting. This is one of the most effective ways to study primates because scientists are able to watch how primates would normally act in the wild but they have continual access to them and the also the ability to control their environment. Lastly the social and cultural aspects of primates are studied heavily. For example the individual self versus social self of primates are compared heavily to humans to try and give greater insight on human nature.
There are four main groups of types of primates; Prosimians, New World Monkeys, Old World Monkeys, and Apes. Prosimians are considered the most primitive of all primates and are found in Madagascar. They are made up of Lemurs, Lorises, Galagos, and Tarsiers. The reason that they are considered the most primitive is because of their heavy reliance on sense of smell, many are nocturnal, they mark their territory with scent, and they have a dental comb. New World Monkeys are found in southern Mexico, and central and South America. There are three main groups of New World Monkeys; Callithricidae, Cebidae, and Atelidae. Callithricidae are comprised of Marmosets and Tamarins. Cebidae are Capuchins, and Squirrel and Owl Monkeys.