genus Pithecanthropus
- noun
- /ˈdʒɛnəs ˌpɪθəˈkænθrəpəs/
- Archaic
- Many textbooks once classified Java Man under the genus Pithecanthropus before the revision to Homo erectus.
Examples
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The discovery of fossils attributed to genus Pithecanthropus helped shape our understanding of human evolution.
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The genus Pithecanthropus was once thought to be a direct ancestor of modern humans.
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Although genus Pithecanthropus is now outdated, it remains a term used in historical anthropology literature.
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Scientists have classified genus Pithecanthropus as part of the Homo lineage.
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The discovery of fossils attributed to genus Pithecanthropus helped scientists understand the evolution of early humans.
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Many textbooks once categorized Java Man as belonging to the genus Pithecanthropus prior to its reclassification as Homo erectus.
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Researchers often refer to genus Pithecanthropus when discussing the lineage of ancient hominids.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A former name for an early human found in Java, now called Homo erectus
1
9.9
An old name for early human fossils now called Homo erectus
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is fully compositional: 'genus' names a biological rank and 'Pithecanthropus' is the taxonomic name, so together they denote that taxon (a genus of early hominids). This follows standard, cross-linguistic biological naming conventions, making the meaning directly inferable to a learner who knows both constituents.
Etymology
Genus Pithecanthropus comes from Greek words meaning ape and human, so it literally meant 'ape-man'. Scientists used this name for early, apelike human fossils, but today those bones are called 'Homo erectus'.