Why do you suppose there are more monkey than ape species?

It's actually the other way around! There are more ape species than monkey species.

Here's why:

* Evolutionary History: Apes and monkeys are both primates, but they diverged millions of years ago. Monkeys are considered more "primitive" primates, while apes evolved later and are more closely related to humans.

* Adaptive Radiation: Apes have undergone a greater degree of adaptive radiation, meaning they have diversified into a wider range of ecological niches and developed a greater variety of physical and behavioral adaptations.

* Definition of "Monkey" vs. "Ape": The term "monkey" encompasses a broad group of primates, including New World monkeys, Old World monkeys, and others. This broader definition contributes to the perceived higher number of "monkey" species.

However, if we compare specific groups, like Old World monkeys (including baboons, macaques, and others) to apes, we see a similar number of species.

Here's a breakdown:

* Monkeys: Approximately 260 species (including all types of monkeys)

* Apes: Approximately 24 species (including all types of apes, including humans)

So, while there might be more species if you consider all monkeys, the number of species is more comparable when comparing specific groups like Old World monkeys to apes.