Which of these adaptations is characteristic of the superfamily Hominoidea?

The characteristic adaptation of the superfamily Hominoidea, which includes apes and humans, is the presence of extended forelimbs and grasping hands. This adaptation is crucial as it allows for brachiation (swinging from limb to limb) and other forms of arboreal locomotion, making it easier for these species to navigate their environments, whether in trees or on the ground. Grasping hands provide the ability to manipulate objects, an essential trait for tool use and other complex behaviors that have evolved in some hominoids.

Other adaptations, like prominent tails, are absent in the Hominoidea group, as they have evolved to be tailless compared to other primates. Enhanced visual capabilities are present in many primates but are not exclusive or distinctive to Hominoidea. Complex nocturnal behavior is more commonly associated with specific prosimians and some other primates rather than being a defining feature of Hominoidea, which tend to be predominantly diurnal. Thus, the combination of extended forelimbs and grasping hands reflects the adaptations that have enabled these primates to thrive in their specific ecological niches and to develop advanced cognitive abilities.