Before the widely accepted hypothesis that humanity evolved from ancient apes, many people question: Why do apes still exist today, and why haven’t other primate species, including apes, evolved into humans?
According to experts, humans did not evolve from apes, gorillas, or chimpanzees. In fact, all of these species are modern and have followed different evolutionary paths, even though humans share a common ancestor with some primate species such as African gorillas.
The timeline of human evolution is lengthy and controversial, with several significant gaps. (Image: Life Little Mysteries)
The timeline of human evolution is indeed long and fraught with debate, with numerous critical gaps. To this day, scientists have not reached a consensus on many starting and ending points for countless species. Thus, evolutionary timelines often include key hypotheses.
To say that humans have “evolved” more than their furry relatives would be inaccurate.
The notion that a species evolves to survive is akin to “using a horse-drawn carriage.” Genetic mutations occur constantly, quietly, and often do not accompany any measurable changes in the organism’s lifestyle. Generally, the most likely mutations to be passed down to future generations are those that prove beneficial for the survival of individuals or species.
The usefulness of a mutation primarily depends on changing environmental factors such as food, predatory threats, climate, and social pressures. African gorillas and apes continue to thrive today because their environment supports the successful reproduction of individuals with genetic material distinct from ours.
In summary, evolution is an ongoing “trial and error” process, and all primate species are a part of it.
