The New World monkeys or Platyrrhines are the two families of primates that are found in Central and South America, the Callitrichidae and Cebidae. Both families differ from the Old World monkeys and apes in having prehensile tails. Technically they are distinguished from Old World monkeys on the basis of the structure of the nose. Many are small, arboreal and nocturnal, so our knowledge of them is less comprehensive than that of the more easily observed Old World monkeys. Unlike most Old World monkeys, many New World monkeys form monogamouspair bonds, and show substantial paternal care of young.
