MACACA MULATTA Meaning and
Definition
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Macaca mulatta, also known as the rhesus macaque, is a species of Old World monkey belonging to the genus Macaca. Native to South, Central, and Southeast Asia, it is one of the best-studied non-human primates and is widely used in scientific research.
With a distinctive pale pink face, this medium-sized monkey has a robust build and a tail that is shorter than its body length. It possesses a hairless, calloused patch of skin known as the ischial callosity, which aids in sitting comfortably. The fur of the rhesus macaque is brown or grey, providing natural camouflage in various habitats such as forests, grasslands, and urban areas.
Macaca mulatta is an opportunistic omnivore, feeding on a diverse range of foods such as fruits, seeds, leaves, insects, and even small animals. It is highly adaptable and has successfully colonized human-influenced habitats, acquiring a reputation for being cunning and resourceful.
Known for their highly social nature, rhesus macaques live in complex hierarchical societies comprised of multiple individuals. They communicate using various vocalizations and body language, exhibiting distinct behaviors like grooming and affiliative interactions. They are known to exhibit remarkable cognitive skills and problem-solving abilities, which make them ideal subjects for cognitive and behavioral studies.
Due to their close evolutionary relationship to humans, Macaca mulatta serves as an important model organism in genetics, physiology, and immunology research. Their physiological similarities and susceptibility to certain diseases further contribute to scientific breakthroughs in areas such as vaccine development and diseases like HIV/AIDS. While their scientific contributions are significant, they are also valued for their cultural and ecological importance, representing a vital part of the diverse primate family.
Common Misspellings for MACACA MULATTA
- nacaca mulatta
- kacaca mulatta
- jacaca mulatta
- mzcaca mulatta
- mscaca mulatta
- mwcaca mulatta
- mqcaca mulatta
- maxaca mulatta
- mavaca mulatta
- mafaca mulatta
- madaca mulatta
- maczca mulatta
- macsca mulatta
- macwca mulatta
- macqca mulatta
- macaxa mulatta
- macava mulatta
- macafa mulatta
- macada mulatta
Etymology of MACACA MULATTA
The word "Macaca mulatta" is derived from two sources: the genus name "Macaca" and the specific epithet "mulatta".
The term "Macaca" comes from the Portuguese word "macaco", which means monkey or ape. The word was adopted as the genus name by Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist, in his scientific classification system called binomial nomenclature. Linnaeus used this name to describe the genus that includes various species of monkeys.
The specific epithet "mulatta" is derived from the Latin word "mulus", meaning mule. The term was used to describe individuals born from the crossbreeding of a donkey and a horse. It was later adopted to denote a specific species of macaque monkeys with a specific coloration pattern and certain physical characteristics.
