CARTA Glossary

Infant care provided by individuals other than the mother/parents.

One of the two species comprising the genus, Pan, having branched from chimpanzees ~1 million years ago. Sometimes referred to as “pygmy chimpanzee.” Bonobos, compared to chimpanzees, are more gracile, have female social dominance, relatively long legs, pink lips, a dark face, a “tail-tuft” through adulthood, and parted long head hair. The species is omnivorous and inhabits primary and secondary forests, including seasonally inundated swamp forests. The bonobo is found in a 500,000 km² (190,000 sq mi) area of the Congo Basin, only south of the Congo River, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Due to political instability, little field work in their natural habitat has been performed. Most behavioral knowledge is a result of studies of captive bonobos.

A family of New World monkeys

A complex of DNA and proteins (histone and adaptor proteins) forming chromosomes.

A form of ovulation that lacks any exterior signs.

An extinct hominin population contemporary with Neanderthals that hybridized with ancient humans and Neanderthals. Knowledge of Denisovan morphology is limited to two small fossils found in Siberia and a jaw in Tibet.

The specific order of the nucleotide bases along a strand of DNA.

The practice of comparing and contrasting the features of multiple ethnohistorically-documented human societies.

The first part of the menstrual cycle, including menstruation and the period prior to ovulation.

The process by which the information contained within a gene (nucleotide sequence) is used to direct protein synthesis and dictate cell function. Nearly all of the cells in the body contain identical genes, but only a subset of this information is used or expressed at any time. The genes expressed in a cell determine what that cell can do.

A taxonomic rank used in biological classification of living and fossil organisms to group closely related species. In binomial nomenclature, the genus name plus species name forms the binomial species name (e.g. Homo sapiens).

A classification of species comprising humans and our extinct relatives following the divergence from the common ancestor with chimpanzees.

The hominin species comprising all living humans. Meaning “wise man” in Latin, the name was introduced by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. The earliest fossil evidence of Homo sapiens appears in Africa around 300 kya (see Jebel Irhoud Hominins).

Somatic (body) cells that are artificially reprogrammed to an embryonic-like stem cell state and differentiated into other types of cells.

The amount of time between consecutive births.

The oldest known “early” human fossils discovered, dating to roughly 300 kya from an archaeological site in Morocco. The location of this discovery suggests a “pan-African” origin of humans, with a dispersed interbreeding population, likely aided by climactic factors.

A collective term for non-Bantu indigenous people of South Africa, as well as for the related languages they speak.

An evolutionary framework for understanding the timing of developmental milestones and life stages.

The part of the menstrual cycle between ovulation and menstruation.

The portion of reproductive effort (time and energy invested) in the form of achieving matings (sexual access).

A group of two or more atoms covalently bonded together to form the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction.

The delay or slowing of development. Compared to other primates, humans are considered neotenous due to the retention of physiological traits typical of juveniles such as facial features (globular skull shape, thinness of skull bones, reduction of browridge, flattened face, larger eyes), limb length ratio, and behavior.

One of the four classes of major biomolecules. The overall name for DNA and RNA, which are composed of nucleotides. DNA is double-stranded and more stable while RNA is single-stranded and less stable.

The ratio of fertile males to fertile females that are ready to mate.

The formation of long-lasting bonds between two individuals.

The portion of reproductive effort in form of parenting (protection, feeding, provisioning).

The ability of males to assess the likelihood of having sired a particular offspring.

Uncertainty about paternity due to female mating behavior.

The phenomenon whereby women appear to synchronize their menstrual cycles.

Observable traits of an organism that result from interactions between genes and environment during development.

Molecules that are produced by one individual and have signal value for another individual of the same species.

A mating system in which males and females mate with multiple partners.

The “many forms,” or genetic variants, of a single gene that exist and are maintained in a population at a frequency of 1% or higher.

The part of the menstrual cycle phase in which the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, expands.

A section of DNA or RNA that codes for protein.

A molecule essential in gene coding, decoding, regulation, and expression. RNA consists of sequences of the four nucleotide bases: Adenine, Uracil, Guanine, and Cytosine. Types of RNA include messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), small nuclear RNA (snRNA), and other non-coding RNAs. Some viruses including Influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 have RNA genomes.

Synonymous with luteal phase.

Visible swelling of the perineum during estrus.

A population whose individuals can mate with one another to produce viable and fertile offspring. This is a debated definition and the concept is problematic for extinct fossil organisms for which DNA is not available. This definition is problematic in regard to bacteria as they can exchange genetic material across widely separate taxa.

The first step in gene expression during which the nucleotide sequence of DNA is transcribed into an RNA molecule that can ultimately be translated into protein.