bonobo relative nyt crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're tackling the New York Times crossword and got stuck on "bonobo relative", you've come to the right place. Below you'll find the most accurate and common answers, complete with explanations to help you understand the solution and improve your crossword skills.
Solutions for "bonobo relative nyt crossword clue" by Letter Count
3 Letters
APE: A general term for a large primate without a tail, encompassing bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans. While broad, it is technically correct and sometimes used in crosswords.
5 Letters
CHIMP: A chimpanzee, a great ape closely related to bonobos and humans. Both bonobos and chimpanzees are part of the *Pan* genus, making 'CHIMP' the most precise and common answer for this clue in the NYT.
More About "bonobo relative nyt crossword clue"
The "bonobo relative" clue often appears in crosswords to test knowledge about animal classification and common biological relationships. Bonobos (Pan paniscus) and common chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) are humanity's closest living relatives, sharing about 98.7% of their DNA with humans. They diverged from a common ancestor roughly 1.5 to 2 million years ago, primarily separated by the Congo River.
While often grouped simply as "apes," the term "chimp" specifically refers to the chimpanzee, which is the bonobo's closest evolutionary cousin within the Pan genus. This biological precision is typical of New York Times crossword clues, which often favor specific terms over general ones when a clearer link exists. Understanding this close genetic link is key to solving such clues.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Specificity: When a clue points to a "relative" of a well-defined subject like "bonobo," think about the closest biological or categorical link. General terms like "APE" might fit the letter count, but specific terms like "CHIMP" often align better with the nuanced nature of NYT clues.
- Leverage Known Letters: If you have a few letters filled in from crossing words, use them to narrow down possibilities. For a five-letter word related to bonobos, and if you have an 'I' and 'M', 'CHIMP' becomes much more obvious.
- Think Scientific Names: Sometimes, NYT crosswords might hint at scientific classifications. While not directly applicable to "CHIMP," knowing the *Pan* genus for bonobos and chimpanzees reinforces their close relationship.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bonobo?
Bonobos (Pan paniscus) are great apes native to the Congo Basin of Central Africa. They are part of the Hominidae family, which includes humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans. Bonobos are known for their strong social bonds, matriarchal societies, and often peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Why is 'CHIMP' a common answer for 'bonobo relative'?
Bonobos are most closely related to common chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Both species belong to the same genus, Pan, and shared a common ancestor relatively recently in evolutionary terms. They are often referred to as 'sister species,' making 'CHIMP' a highly accurate and common crossword answer for a bonobo's closest relative.
Are bonobos and chimpanzees the same species?
No, while bonobos and chimpanzees are extremely close relatives, they are distinct species within the genus Pan. They diverged genetically about 1.5 to 2 million years ago. They have differences in appearance, behavior, social structure, and diet, although they share many similarities due to their common ancestry.