Call secretary about old primate (6)

I believe the answer is:

apeman

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'old primate' is the definition.
'apeman' can be an answer for 'primate' (I've seen this before). I'm not certain of the 'old' bit.

'call secretary about' is the wordplay.
'call' becomes 'name' (as in calling or naming someone something).
'secretary' becomes 'pa' (abbreviation for personal assistant).
'about' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'name'+'pa'='namepa'
'namepa' in reverse letter order is 'APEMAN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for apeman that I've seen before include "Long extinct human ancestor" , "Neanderthal type?" , "Extinct primate" , "Primitive figure" , "Missing link, possibly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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