CATARRHINE Meaning and
Definition
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Catarrhine is an adjective that refers to a group of primates characterized by certain physical characteristics and evolutionary traits. Specifically, it describes a subgroup within the primate order known as "haplorhines," which includes Old World monkeys, apes, and humans.
Catarrhine primates are distinguished by their narrow nostrils that are close together and typically face downwards. This arrangement, known as a "nosorial morphology," is a significant contrast to the broad nostrils and sideways-facing nostrils found in "platyrrhine" primates, such as New World monkeys. The term "catarrhine" is often used to denote the evolutionary division between these two groups and the anatomical differences resulting from it.
Moreover, catarrhine primates are known for having a larger brain size, complex social systems, and a greater diversity of behaviors compared to their platyrrhine counterparts. They generally inhabit Africa, Arabia, and Asia, with examples including baboons, macaques, and gibbons. Humans, as a part of the catarrhine mammals, share a common ancestry with these non-human primates.
In summary, "catarrhine" is an adjective used to describe a group of primates with narrow and downward-facing nostrils, larger brain size, and more complex behavioral and social characteristics. It serves as a biological classification that differentiates them from the platyrrhine primates.
Common Misspellings for CATARRHINE
- xatarrhine
- vatarrhine
- fatarrhine
- datarrhine
- cztarrhine
- cstarrhine
- cwtarrhine
- cqtarrhine
- cararrhine
- cafarrhine
- cagarrhine
- cayarrhine
- ca6arrhine
- ca5arrhine
- catzrrhine
- catsrrhine
- catwrrhine
- catqrrhine
- cataerhine
Etymology of CATARRHINE
The word "Catarrhine" is derived from the Greek words "katárrhēsis" and "rhínon", which mean "down-flow" and "nose", respectively. It refers to a group of primates characterized by their narrow and downward-facing nostrils, including Old World monkeys, apes, and humans. The term was first used in the mid-19th century and has been used in the field of biological classification to distinguish this group of primates from the "Platyrrhine" group, which includes New World monkeys with wide, sideways-facing nostrils.
Similar spelling words for CATARRHINE
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