Glossary of Key Terms

Chapter 5: Fossil Primates

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Adaptive radiation
Rapid diversification of an evolving population as it adapts to a variety of available niches.

C

Cold-blooded
Animals whose body temperature rises or falls according to the temperature of the surrounding environment.

E

Ecological niche
A species' way of life considered in the context of its environment, including other species found in that environment.

H

Hominid
Hominoid family to which humans alone used to be assigned; now includes African apes and humans, with the latter assigned to the subfamily Homininae.

Hominine
Member of the Homininae, the subfamily of hominids to which humans belong.

Hominoid
A catarrhine primate superfamily that includes apes and humans.

L

Linear evolution
A sustained directional shift in a population's average characteristics.

W

Warm-blooded
Animals that maintain a relatively constant body temperature.