Ape

Ape is a term that is used to refer to a group of primates, which are not monkeys. The term has a history of changes in meaning. It originally referred to all primates, but the meaning has changed over time to exclude humans and, more recently, monkeys. The current use of the term "ape" does not have a consistent meaning, and different authors use it to refer to different groups of primates.

Etymology

The word "ape" comes from the Old English word "apa", which has cognates in several other Germanic languages, including the Old Norse "api", the Dutch "aap", the German "Affe", and the Swedish "apa". These words are all thought to be onomatopoeic, imitating the noises made by apes.

Classification

Apes are members of the superfamily Hominoidea, which is divided into two families: the Hylobatidae, or lesser apes, and the Hominidae, or great apes and humans. The Hylobatidae includes four genera and sixteen species, while the Hominidae includes four genera and seven species.

Characteristics

Apes are distinguished from monkeys by a number of physical characteristics, including a larger size, a lack of a tail, and a different structure of the chest and shoulders. They also have a more complex brain and a more advanced level of behavior, including the use of tools and a complex social structure.

Conservation

Many species of apes are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss, hunting, and disease. Conservation efforts are being made to protect these species, but many challenges remain.

See also

• Primate
• Monkey
• Hominidae
• Hylobatidae

Ape Resources
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