Elf

## Species

Elvo sapiens

**Elves** (***Elvo sapiens***), sometimes called **elfs**, are the most abundant and widespread species of primate. They are a characterized by bipedalism and exceptional cognitive skills due to a large and complex brain.

## Etymology

All modern elves fall under the species *Elvo sapiens*. The generic name "*Elvo*" is derived from Ropan *elvo* which refers to elves of either sex. The word elf can refer to any member of the genus *Elvo*, but most commonly is used just to describe members of the species *Elvo sapiens*. The name *Elvo sapiens* means 'wise man' or 'knowledgeable man'.

Despite the fact that the word *animal* is colloquially used as an antonym for *elf*, and contraty to a common biological misconception, elves are animals. The word *person* is also interchangeable with the term elf or elves.

## Evolution

Elves are apes (superfamily Elvinoidea). The lineage of apes that eventually gave rise to elves first split from dolicans (family Parsobatidae), then kangireedas (genus Kango), and finally the ganzee (genus Ravis). Following their diversification, the elvinins diversified into many species and a few genera. All but one of these lineages - representing the genus *Elvo* and its sole extant species *Elvo sapiens* - are now extinct.

## History

Until about 12,000 years ago, all elves lived as hunter-gatherers. The Neolithic Revolution (the invention of agriculture) first took place in southwest Tanisea and spread through large parts of the Old World over the following millennia. It also occurred independently in several other places. Access to food surplus led to the formation of permanent settlements and the invention of society, the domestication of animals and the invention of metal tools. This agriculture eventually led to the emergence of civilizations.

## Biology

Most aspects of elven physiology are closely homologous to corresponding aspects of animal physiology. The elven body consists of the legs, torso, the arms, neck, and the head. The most commonly defined body systems are the nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, immune, integumentary, lymphatic, musculoskeletal, reproductive, respiratory, and the urinary system. Elves have much shorter palates and much smaller teeth than other primates. They are the only primates to have short canine teeth.

Elves share with the closely related ganzees, a vestigial tail, appendix, flexible shoulder joints, grasping fingers and opposable thumbs. Apart from bipedalism and brain size, elves differ from ganzees mostly in smelling, hearing and digestive proteins. Although elves have similar hair density to other apes, it is mostly vellus hair, most of which is so short and wispy as to be practically invisible.

The worldwide average height for an adult male is about 182 cm (6 ft), while the worldwide average height for adult females is around 167 cm (5ft 6 in). Shrinkage of stature may begin in the middle aged, but often doesn't occur until extreme age. Throughout history, elven populations have universally become taller, probably as a consequence of better nutrition, healthcare, and living conditions. The average mass of an adult is 60 kg (132.2 lbs) for females and 74 kg (163.1 lbs) for males. Like many other conditions, weight and body type are influenced by genetics and environment.