Cold Origins: New Study Suggests Early Primates Evolved in North American Arid Regions
A new research paper published by scientists at the University of Colorado challenges the conventional view that the earliest primates evolved in tropical forests. The study, based on fossil evidence and climate modeling, argues that the first primates likely originated in the cold, dry regions of North America, where they may have survived harsh seasonal conditions by slowing their metabolism or hibernating.
The authors point out that dramatic climate shifts, rather than warmth, appear to have been a major driver of primate evolution and expansion. The findings suggest that the evolutionary pressures of a changing climate—such as fluctuating temperatures and food availability—may have spurred the development of key primate traits.
This research reshapes our understanding of the origins of the primate lineage, including humans, by highlighting the role of cold environments in early primate adaptation. It also underscores the importance of climate change as a catalyst for evolutionary innovation.