Difference between revisions of "Hominid"
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# In [[taxonomy]], it can refer to humans, as well as the great apes, including gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and their evolutionary ancestors. | # In [[taxonomy]], it can refer to humans, as well as the great apes, including gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and their evolutionary ancestors. | ||
| − | The first definition is similar to what is found in common dictionaries.<ref>Merriam-Webster dictionary [http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=hominid], American Heritage [http://www.bartleby.com/61/51/H0255100.html]</ref> It is also commonly used | + | The first definition is similar to what is found in common dictionaries.<ref>Merriam-Webster dictionary [http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=hominid], American Heritage [http://www.bartleby.com/61/51/H0255100.html]</ref> It is also commonly used to refer to what evolutionists consider to be human ancestors and closely related species like [[Neanderthal]]s.<ref>This museum exhibit on hominids does not include gorillas. [http://www.hunterian.gla.ac.uk/collections/museum/hominid/hominid_index.shtml]</ref> |
The second definition is preferred by many modern biologists who deemphasize the distinction between humans and apes. | The second definition is preferred by many modern biologists who deemphasize the distinction between humans and apes. | ||
Revision as of 10:15, February 27, 2008
The term hominid has two common definitions.
- It can refer to prehistoric man, as well as a modern human. It is the colloquial cave man.
- In taxonomy, it can refer to humans, as well as the great apes, including gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and their evolutionary ancestors.
The first definition is similar to what is found in common dictionaries.[1] It is also commonly used to refer to what evolutionists consider to be human ancestors and closely related species like Neanderthals.[2]
The second definition is preferred by many modern biologists who deemphasize the distinction between humans and apes.