Final answer:
The evolution of prosimians before anthropoids does not mean they are more evolved. Evolution is an ongoing process of adaptation, not a linear progression. Both groups have evolved distinct traits that suit their environmental niches.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fact that prosimians evolved before anthropoids does not imply that they are more evolved. Evolution does not have an end goal and is not a linear progression from 'less evolved' to 'more evolved'. Instead, it is a process of adaptation to the environment. Both prosimians and anthropoids have undergone millions of years of evolution, just in different ways.
Prosimians, such as lemurs and tarsiers, are considered more primitive, not because they are less evolved, but because they have retained more of the ancestral traits that were present in early primates. By contrast, anthropoids, which include monkeys, apes, and humans, have evolved different traits that have allowed them to thrive in various environments. This includes larger brains, different social behaviors, and varied physical characteristics.
It's also important to note that all living species today have been evolving for the same amount of time, just along different paths. The prosimians have adapted well to their specific niches, as have anthropoids to theirs. Therefore, evolution is not about being 'more' or 'less' evolved, but about how species have adapted to survive and reproduce in their respective environments.