In which epoch do scientists believe the first true primates appeared?

The Eocene epoch, which lasted from about 56 to 34 million years ago, is widely recognized by scientists as the time when the first true primates emerged. During this epoch, conditions on Earth were favorable for the evolution of mammals, leading to significant diversification. The warmer climate allowed for the expansion of tropical and subtropical forests, creating habitats conducive to the survival and evolution of early primates.

Fossil evidence from the Eocene, such as the discovery of Adapiforms and Omomyids, supports the idea that these early primates were characterized by traits that distinguish them from their non-primate relatives. Features like forward-facing eyes, grasping hands, and flexible limbs began to appear, marking the transition towards the more advanced primate anatomy seen in later primate species.

In contrast, the Paleocene epoch predates the Eocene and is more characterized by the emergence of early mammals rather than true primates. The Oligocene and Miocene epochs follow the Eocene and are noted for significant developments in primate evolution, but they are more about the diversification and adaptation of already established primate families rather than the initial appearance of true primates. Thus, the correct association of the Eocene with the emergence of the