genus Ateles

9.4

A group of Central and South American monkeys called spider monkeys with long arms and a tail that holds things

noun
/ˈdʒiːnəs əˈteɪliːz/

Specialized

: género Ateles

The genus Ateles includes several species of spider monkeys.

Examples

Many conservation programs focus on animals within the genus Ateles due to habitat loss.
Researchers studied the social behavior of primates in the genus Ateles.
The genus Ateles includes several species commonly known as spider monkeys.
Did you know that the genus Ateles is known for its long limbs?
Researchers studied the social behavior of primates in the genus Ateles.
The genus Ateles includes several species commonly known as spider monkeys.
Many conservation programs focus on animals within the genus Ateles due to habitat loss.

Synonyms

spider monkey

vsgenus Ateles

4 4.2

An animal that lives in trees in the Americas with long thin arms and a tail that grasps branches

is the taxonomic group name rather than an individual arboreal type

Ateles

vsgenus Ateles

Specialized

9.9

A group of monkeys called spider monkeys that live in the tropical forests of Central and South America

is the same concept but emphasises the common group rather than the formal name

Surface Forms

genus Ateles singular

genera Ateles plural

Morphology

genus + Ateles

The phrase 'genus Ateles' is fully compositional: 'genus' (a biological rank) combined with the proper name 'Ateles' yields the taxonomic group named Ateles. This is a literal, non-idiomatic naming pattern common across languages, so a learner who knows both constituents can understand the meaning.

Etymology

Genus Ateles gets its name from the Greek word Ateles, which means 'incomplete' and likely points to these monkeys' very small or missing thumbs. So the name gives a clear picture—long-armed animals that use a strong tail to hold things—and today genus Ateles is the scientific group name for spider monkeys.