Final answer:
Carolus Linnaeus named primates as "of the first rank" due to their important characteristics and features. He developed the binomial nomenclature, giving each species a unique Latin two-part name for universal identification. Linnaeus's taxonomy allows understanding of diverse organisms, including human evolution tracing back through hominins to shared primate ancestors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word 'primate' comes from the Latin phrase "of the first rank," and was used by Carolus Linnaeus in his taxonomic system to refer to a group of mammals of the highest rank or importance due to their complex brain structure, reliance on eyesight over smell, and dexterous hands, among other features. Linnaeus created the binomial nomenclature system where each species is given a two-part Latin name consisting of the genus and species, ensuring consistent identification across different languages and regions. For instance, humans are scientifically named Homo sapiens. This system has helped in organizing and classifying living organisms, including the identification of our own lineage within the hominids, tracing back through the fossil record to ape-like ancestors shared with modern primates. The hierarchical levels of Linnaeus's taxonomy have enabled anthropologists to understand the diversity and evolutionary history of organisms better, particularly in the study of primate evolution and the various morphological changes that early hominins went through, some of which suggest adaptation to environmental and climatic changes. This understanding is essential for biological anthropologists as they study the primate order, including monkeys, apes, and humans, emphasizing the shared DNA sequences and traits that corroborate a recent common ancestor.