[Taxacom] Strepsirhini and Haplorhini (Catarrhini and Platyrrhini)

[Kenneth Kinman]

Dear All,
     I have studied this further, and I have concluded that a majority
of biologists follow the usage of W.C.O. Hill in his 8-Volume "Primates,
Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy".  That usage is followed by Walker's
Mammals of the World and a majority of the scientific literature.   
      This usage spells both of the Suborders with a single "r":
STREPSIRHINI and HAPLORHINI.  This makes sense, even though Strepsirhini
was originally spelled with a double "r".  I think Hill probably
realized that Strepsirhini was the more proper Greek and Latin spelling,
and that the two suborder names should be formed in the same way.             
      Hill, Walker, and most others spell the infraorders with a double
"r": CATARRHINI and PLATYRRHINI.  This is how they were originally
spelled, so it shouldn't be controversial (even though Charles Darwin
seems to have preferred the single "r" spelling for these as well). I
actually considered following Darwin, and using a single "r" spelling
for all four names.  However, that would be too destabilizing, and it
seems preferable to continue the 20th Century usage.
           -------Ken Kinman