What did tarsiers evolve from?

The closest evolutionary relatives of the tarsiers are the anthropoid primates (i.e., monkeys, apes, and humans). It is believed that tarsiers and anthropoids evolved from a common ancestor that was likely a small tree-dwelling mammal that lived in the forests of Southeast Asia around 55-60 million years ago. This common ancestor is known as a plesiadapiform.

Over time, tarsiers and anthropoids began to diverge in their evolutionary paths. Tarsiers retained their small size and many of the primitive characteristics of their plesiadapiform ancestors. Anthropoids, on the other hand, underwent significant evolutionary changes that ultimately led to the development of larger brains, bipedalism, and other features characteristic of monkeys, apes, and humans.

Despite these differences, tarsiers and anthropoids share a common evolutionary heritage. Genetic studies suggest that tarsiers are more closely related to anthropoids than they are to other primates, such as lemurs and lorises. This shared ancestry explains some of the similarities that can be observed between tarsiers and anthropoids, such as their grasping hands and feet and their ability to see in color.