Anthropoidea
Definition
Noun: 1. A suborder of primates: In biological taxonomy, "Anthropoidea" refers to a major suborder of primates that includes monkeys, apes, and hominids (including humans). This group is characterized by features such as forward-facing eyes, larger brains relative to body size, and more complex social behaviors compared to other primates like lemurs and lorises.
Usage Examples
- The study of Anthropoidea provides crucial insights into human evolution.
- Fossils show that the Anthropoidea suborder diverged from other primates millions of years ago.
- Primatologists often focus their research on species within Anthropoidea.
Advanced Usage
- In taxonomic hierarchy: The term is used in formal scientific classification. The order is Primates, which is divided into suborders like Strepsirrhini (lemurs, lorises) and Anthropoidea (monkeys, apes, and hominids).
- As a descriptive adjective (Anthropoid): While "Anthropoidea" is a noun for the suborder, the related adjective "anthropoid" is commonly used to describe the physical resemblance to a human or ape.
- Example: The anthropoid features of the fossil were immediately apparent.
Variants and Related Words
- Anthropoid (adjective/noun):
- (Adjective) Resembling a human being or an ape in form. Example: The anthropoid robot was designed for complex tasks.
- (Noun) A member of the suborder Anthropoidea; a monkey or ape. Example: The great apes are large anthropoids.
- Anthropoidal (adjective): Another form meaning "resembling a human."
Synonyms
- Simians: This is a common, less technical synonym for monkeys and apes, often used interchangeably with the members of Anthropoidea.
- Higher primates: An informal descriptive term contrasting with "prosimians" (lower primates like lemurs).
Related Terms (Contextual)
- Primate: The larger order that includes Anthropoidea.
- Hominid: A family within Anthropoidea that includes great apes and humans.
- Catarrhini (Old World monkeys and apes) and Platyrrhini (New World monkeys): These are the two infraorders within the suborder Anthropoidea.
Noun
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monkeys; apes; hominids
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