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The Conversation USA

No animal alive today is ‘primitive’ – why are so many still labeled that way?

  • Written by Kevin Omland, Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
imageA platypus has evolved to fit its particular ecological niche.Joao Inacio/Moment via Getty Images

We humans have long viewed ourselves as the pinnacle of evolution. People label other species as “primitive” or “ancient” and use terms like “higher” and “lower” animals.

image‘Man’ is at the very...

Read more: No animal alive today is ‘primitive’ – why are so many still labeled that way?

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