Anthropoid Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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anthropoid
[หรฆnฮธrษpษษชd ]
Definition
primates classification
Anthropoid refers to a member of the primate suborder Anthropoidea, which includes monkeys, apes, and humans. These creatures are characterized by their larger brains and more advanced social behaviors compared to other primates. Anthropoids are typically recognized for their more human-like features, such as facial structure and limb flexibility. This group plays a significant role in understanding evolution and the biology of primates in general.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The anthropoid fossils found in Africa provide key insights into human evolution.
- Researchers study the behavior of anthropoid species to understand social dynamics.
- Anthropoid characteristics can be observed in both living and extinct species.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Biology
- Anthropoids include monkeys, apes, and humans, with a shared ancestry dating back millions of years.
- These creatures are characterized by their larger brains compared to other primates, indicating advanced cognitive abilities.
Cultural Impact
- Anthropoids have been featured in various cultural works, from animated films to literature, often highlighting their intelligence and emotional range.
- In ancient cultures, some anthropoid species were revered in art and myth as embodying human traits.
Evolutionary Science
- Fossil evidence suggests that anthropoids split from their non-anthropoid primate relatives around 50-60 million years ago.
- Study of anthropoid behavior can provide insights into the evolution of human social structures.
Conservation
- Many anthropoid species are endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and the illegal pet trade.
- Conservation programs are crucial to protect these species and their habitats, emphasizing their ecological importance.
Origin of 'anthropoid'
Main points about word origin
- 'Anthropoid' comes from two Greek words: 'anthropos', meaning human, and 'eidos', meaning form or shape.
- The term was first used in the 19th century to classify creatures with human-like features.
The term 'anthropoid' is derived from the Greek words 'anthrลpos', meaning 'human', and 'eidos', meaning 'form' or 'resemblance'. It began appearing in English texts in the late 19th century, during a time when the scientific community was increasingly focused on the classification of different groups of animals, particularly in relation to evolution. The classification system of living organisms expanded significantly during this period, leading to the identification of similarities between humans and other primates. As a result, anthropoids were categorized to highlight their shared features with humans, which included complex social structures and higher cognitive functions. The study of anthropoids has been essential in anthropology and primatology, providing insight into our own evolutionary history as well as the behaviors of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.