Definition

Noun 1. A species of Old World monkey: Macaca mulatta is the scientific name for the rhesus macaque, a primate native to parts of southern and southeastern Asia. It is a medium-sized, brownish-gray monkey with a pink face and a relatively short tail. This species is highly significant in biological and medical research.

Usage Examples

• Noun as Subject:
  • The Macaca mulatta is one of the best-known primate species due to its extensive use in laboratories.
• Noun as Object:
  • The vaccine was first tested on Macaca mulatta before human trials began.
  • Researchers observed the social behavior of a troop of Macaca mulatta.

Advanced Usage

• In Taxonomic Context: The two-part name follows binomial nomenclature. is the genus (a group of related species), and is the specific epithet that identifies this particular species within that genus. It is always written in italics, with the genus name capitalized.
  • The study compared the cognitive abilities of Macaca mulatta to those of Macaca fascicularis (the crab-eating macaque).*

Variants and Related Words

• Rhesus macaque (n): The common name for . This term is used more frequently in non-scientific contexts.
  • Rhesus macaques are often seen in urban areas of northern India.
• Rhesus monkey (n): A synonym for rhesus macaque.
• Macaque (n): The common name for any monkey belonging to the genus , which includes several species besides .

Synonyms

• Rhesus macaque
• Rhesus monkey

Related Terms and Phrases

• Animal model: An animal species used in research to understand biological processes and test potential treatments for human diseases. The is a classic and important animal model.
  • Because of its physiological similarities to humans, the Macaca mulatta serves as a crucial animal model for infectious disease research.
• Rh factor: The "Rh" in this term for a blood group antigen is derived from "rhesus," as it was first discovered in the blood of rhesus macaques ().
  • The discovery of the Rh factor was made through experiments involving Macaca mulatta.

Noun

1. of southern Asia; used in medical research