Cynopithecidae

/ˌsɪnəpɪˈθɛsɪdiː/ noun

Definition

An extinct family of primates that lived in Africa millions of years ago and had dog-like facial features.

Etymology

From Greek 'cyno-' meaning dog and 'pithekos' meaning ape or primate, plus the Latin '-idae' suffix for animal families; the name describes their dog-like ape appearance.

Kelly Says

These fossil primates show an amazing transition—they had the brain development of early apes but retained dog-like snouts, illustrating how our primate ancestors gradually evolved rounder faces as their brains enlarged.

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