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
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.
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'.
