Alu retrotransposons are a class of mobile element insertion (MEI) widely used to study primate phylogenetics. Recent studies questioned this conventional separation of the genus and proposed designations based on the geographical location of wild populations. Early taxonomy only recognized one species, Aotus trivirgatus, until 1983, when Hershkovitz proposed nine unique species designations, classified into red-necked and gray-necked species groups based predominately on pelage coloration.

Owl monkeys (genus Aotus), or “night monkeys” are platyrrhine primates in the Aotidae family.