When did the first fully recognizable primates appear in the fossil record?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

While some fossils from the Paleocene Epoch have historically been considered primates, their status is often debated, with some researchers suggesting they may belong to the order Dermoptera instead.12

Consequently, the first fully recognizable primate forms did not emerge until the Eocene Epoch (approximately 56 million to 33.9 million years ago). During this period, distinct groups appeared that are clearly identifiable as primates, including the Adapidae (ancestors of lemurs and lorises), the Omomyidae (possible ancestors of monkeys and apes), and the Tarsiidae (tarsiers).34