Monkeys are a diverse group of primates known for their intelligence, agility, and social behaviors.

They belong to the infraorder Simiiformes and are further divided into two main groups: Old World
monkeys (found in Africa and Asia) and New World monkeys (found in Central and South America).
Here's an overview of monkeys and their characteristics:

### Diversity:
1. **Old World Monkeys**:
- Old World monkeys include species such as baboons, macaques, langurs, and vervet monkeys.
- They typically have tails (though not always prehensile) and cheek pouches for storing food.
- Old World monkeys have a more diverse range of habitats, from tropical forests to savannas and
mountainous regions.

2. **New World Monkeys**:

- New World monkeys include species such as capuchins, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, and
squirrel monkeys.
- They often have prehensile tails, which they use for grasping branches and navigating their
arboreal habitats.
- New World monkeys are predominantly found in the dense forests of Central and South America.

### Ecology and Behavior:

1. **Social Structure**:
- Monkeys exhibit a wide range of social structures, from large multi-male/multi-female groups to
smaller family units.
- Social hierarchies are common among many monkey species, with dominant individuals typically
having priority access to resources such as food and mates.

2. **Communication**:
- Monkeys communicate through a variety of vocalizations, facial expressions, and body postures.
- Some species, such as vervet monkeys, have distinct alarm calls for different types of predators,
allowing group members to respond appropriately to threats.

3. **Diet**:
- Monkeys are omnivorous, with diets consisting of fruits, leaves, insects, small vertebrates, and
occasionally eggs.
- Their feeding habits can vary depending on species and habitat, with some being primarily fruit
eaters while others are more opportunistic omnivores.

### Conservation:
1. **Habitat Loss**:
- Like many other species, monkeys face significant threats from habitat loss and fragmentation due
to deforestation, agriculture, and urbanization.
- Destruction of their natural habitats reduces their available food sources and can lead to increased
human-wildlife conflicts.

2. **Illegal Trade**:
- Some monkey species are targeted for the illegal pet trade or for their body parts, putting
additional pressure on already vulnerable populations.
- Efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade and enforce laws protecting these animals are crucial for
their conservation.

3. **Disease**:
- Monkeys are susceptible to various diseases, including those transmitted from humans, such as
Ebola and Zika viruses.
- Conservation efforts often include monitoring and managing disease outbreaks to prevent
population declines.
Conservation initiatives aimed at protecting monkey species include the establishment of protected
areas, habitat restoration projects, community-based conservation efforts, and educational programs
to raise awareness about the importance of conserving these charismatic primates and their
ecosystems.