Dryopithecinae

/ˌdraɪoʊpɪˈθɛsɪni/ noun

Definition

A subfamily of extinct apes from the Miocene epoch, classified as a systematic group within primate evolution.

Etymology

From 'Dryopithecus' plus the subfamily suffix '-inae', a Latinized taxonomic classification used in paleontology to group related genera.

Kelly Says

The Dryopithecinae subfamily represents one of biology's great detective stories—scientists had to piece together partial fossils from dried riverbeds across Europe to understand that our ape ancestors once roamed forests where forests no longer exist.

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