Lophocebus
/ˌlɒfəˈsiːbəs/noun
A genus of African mangabeys distinguished by crestlike hair on the head.
Did you know?The name combines Ancient Greek lophos, “crest,” with kēbos, “monkey,” turning a distinctive hairstyle into a formal biological identity.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
λόφος (lophos)
“A crest, tuft, or ridge—especially a raised feature such as a helmet plume or mountain ridge.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
κῆβος (kēbos)
“A monkey; the term was used in zoological naming for monkey groups.”
19th Century
New Latin
Lophocebus
“A scientific compound formed from lophos, “crest,” and kēbos, “monkey.””
Modern taxonomy
Scientific English
Lophocebus
“The genus name for several African mangabeys, including the crested mangabey.”
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