Bonobos: The Misunderstood Primates and Their Many Names
Bonobos: A Primate with Many Names
The bonobo (Pan paniscus), also known as the pygmy chimpanzee or gracile chimpanzee, is a great ape closely related to the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). It is smaller than the common chimpanzee and has a more gracile build, with a longer and slimmer body and a smaller skull. Bonobos are also known for their distinctive black face and lips. They are found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in a region south of the Congo River and north of the Kasai River. Bonobos live in forests and woodlands, and they are known for their peaceful and cooperative social behavior.
The Bonobo Name Confusion
The bonobo has a long and confusing history of names. It was first described in 1929 by the German zoologist Ernst Schwarz, who gave it the scientific name Pan paniscus. However, the bonobo was not widely recognized as a distinct species until the 1950s. Since then, it has been known by a variety of names, including the pygmy chimpanzee, the gracile chimpanzee, and the dwarf chimpanzee. The name "bonobo" is derived from the local name for the animal in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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