Platyrrhine evolution in the West Indies

Abstract

There are now at least three, and probably five to seven, distinct endemic platyrrhine species known from the Greater Antilles. All are of Late Pleistocene or Holocene age. These include at least three from Jamaica, the distinctive Xenothrix mcgregori and two others known only from proximal femora. All three are approximately the same size. One of these is also present on Hispaniola. Dental remains from several sites on Hispaniola all probably belong to “Saimiri” bernensis (which is likely not Saimiri). Postcranial remains from Hispaniola may not belong to the same monkey; their phenetic (but perhaps not phylogenetic) affinities are to callitrichids. Cuba also had two endemic platyrrhines, less changed from their mainland relatives, a howler monkey and a spider monkey (Ateles anthropomorphus). One or more of these lineages probably reached the islands prior to the Pleistocene, and almost certainly through dispersal (via rafting) and not vicariance or human transport.