family Cebidae
Definition
Noun: - A taxonomic family of primates comprising all New World monkeys except marmosets and tamarins. This family includes monkeys characterized by their prehensile tails (in most species), wide nostrils spaced apart, and a primarily arboreal lifestyle in Central and South American forests.
Usage
- The term is used in scientific, zoological, and biological contexts to classify a specific group of primates.
- It functions as a singular, collective noun referring to the entire family group.
Examples
- In a scientific description:
- The capuchin monkey belongs to the family Cebidae.
- In a comparative discussion:
- A key difference between family Cebidae and family Callitrichidae is the presence of a prehensile tail in many cebids.
Advanced Usage
- In taxonomic hierarchy: The term is used to specify a rank (family) within the order Primates. It is often italicized in scientific writing: **.
- Phylogenetic context: Discussions on primate evolution often reference when diverged from other monkey lineages.
Variants and Related Words
- Cebid (noun/adjective): A member of the family Cebidae; pertaining to the family Cebidae.
- Capuchins and squirrel monkeys are both cebids.
- Cebidae: The Latin scientific name for the family, often used interchangeably with "family Cebidae" in technical contexts.
Synonyms
- New World monkeys (in a broad, non-taxonomic sense): This common name is broader and can include marmosets and tamarins, whereas "family Cebidae" specifically excludes them.
- Platyrrhines: This term refers to all New World monkeys (infraorder Platyrrhini), which includes as well as families like Callitrichidae (marmosets and tamarins) and Atelidae (howler and spider monkeys).
Notes on Meaning
- The definition is precise and biological. It does not have common idiomatic or figurative meanings outside of scientific classification.
- The core distinction is the exclusion of the marmosets and tamarins, which belong to the family Callitrichidae.
Noun
-
all the New World monkeys except marmosets and tamarins
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