The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature adopted Pan as the only official name of the genus in 1895, though the 'cave-dweller' connection was able to be included, albeit at the species level ( Pan troglodytes – the common chimpanzee) for one of the two species of Pan. Troglodytes was not available, as it had been given as the name of a genus of wren in 1809, for 'cave-dweller', reflecting the tendency of some wrens to forage in dark crevices. An alternative Theranthropus was suggested by Brookes 1828 and Chimpansee by Voigt 1831. While Oken did not give a rationale for his choice, it is generally thought to have been inspired by the name of the Greek god Pan. The genus name Pan was first introduced by Lorenz Oken in 1816.

Several conservation and rehabilitation organisations are dedicated to the survival of Pan species in the wild. Threats to wild panina populations include poaching, habitat destruction, and the illegal pet trade. Both Pan species are considered to be endangered as human activities have caused severe declines in the populations and ranges of both species. Field studies of Pan troglodytes were pioneered by primatologist Jane Goodall. There may even be distinctive cultures within populations. Their learning abilities have been extensively studied.

They use a variety of sophisticated tools and construct elaborate sleeping nests each night from branches and foliage. They can live over 30 years in both the wild and captivity.Ĭhimpanzee ( Pan troglodytes) (left) and bonobo ( Pan paniscus) (right)Ĭhimpanzees and bonobos are equally humanity's closest living relatives. Fruit is the most important component of a chimpanzee's diet but they will also eat vegetation, bark, honey, insects and even other chimpanzees or monkeys. Both chimpanzees and bonobos are some of the most social great apes, with social bonds occurring throughout large communities. Males and females differ in size and appearance. The most obvious differences are that chimpanzees are somewhat larger, more aggressive and male-dominated, while the bonobos are more gracile, peaceful, and female-dominated. Based on genome sequencing, these two extant Pan species diverged around one million years ago. troglodytes is divided into four subspecies, while P. paniscus) who lives south of it, were once considered to be the same species, but since 1928 they have been recognized as distinct. troglodytes) who lives north of the Congo River, and the bonobo ( P. Both species are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and in 2017 the Convention on Migratory Species selected the chimpanzee for special protection. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, chimpanzees and bonobos are currently both found in the Congo jungle, while only the chimpanzee is also found further north in West Africa. Together with humans, gorillas, and orangutans they are part of the family Hominidae (the great apes, or hominids). The two species were formerly collectively called 'chimpanzees' or 'chimps' if bonobos were recognized as a separate group at all, they were referred to as 'pygmy chimpanzees'. Taxonomically, these two ape species are collectively termed panins. The genus Pan consists of two extant species: the chimpanzee and the bonobo. Distribution of Pan troglodytes (common chimpanzee) and Pan paniscus (bonobo, in red)

Are chimpanzee monkey or apes