Group of one or more
species with many characteristics in common. Thus all doglike species (including dogs, wolves, and jackals) belong to the genus
Canis (Latin dog).
Species of the same genus are thought to be descended from a common ancestor species. Related genera are grouped into
families.
Humans belong to the genus
Homo, while chimpanzees and bonobos form the genus
Pan. Following the detailed insights gained from sequencing the
genomes of both human and chimp, it is now generally believed by researchers that this distinction is biologically unfounded and that humans should share a genus with chimps and bonobos.
© RM 2012. Helicon Publishing is division of RM.