Research on Bonobo Muscles Reveals Closer Connection to Humans Compared to Common Chimpanzees
According to ScienceDaily, a new study examining the muscular system of Bonobos provides direct evidence that these rare, tailless primates may have a closer anatomical relationship with human ancestors than common chimpanzees. Previous research suggested this theory at the molecular level, but this is the first study to comprehensively compare the anatomical features of all three species.
Image of a Bonobo.
Bernard Bob, a professor researching human origins at the George Washington Center for Advanced Paleoanthropology, stated: “The muscles of Bonobos have changed the least, meaning they could be our closest ‘living’ ancestors.”
Scientists believe that the lineages of Chimpanzees/Bonobos and modern humans diverged around 8 million years ago, whereas the two ancient chimp species diverged approximately 2 million years prior to the aforementioned split. After this divergence, common chimpanzees and Bonobos evolved different physical characteristics, despite inhabiting geographically close areas, with the primary dividing line being the Congo River.
This is precisely why researchers have been curious about these differences and how they relate to humans. By studying the muscles of Bonobos (which reflect bodily function), the research team discovered that they are more closely related to humans anatomically than common chimpanzees, in the sense that their muscles have undergone less change compared to those of common chimpanzees.
Previous studies have investigated the similarities and differences in DNA between Bonobos and common chimpanzees, but this is the first study to compare the muscles of all three species.
Rui Diogo, the lead author of the paper and an associate professor of anatomy at Howard University, remarked: “Moreover, our study indicated that there is a mosaic evolutionary pattern (mosaic refers to a blend of DNA from at least two species) among these three species, in the sense that some characteristics are shared among all three, with some commonalities between humans and Bonobos, other common traits between humans and common chimpanzees, and additional shared features with the two ancient chimp species.”
This kind of mosaic anatomical evolution may be related to similar mosaic evolution at the molecular level among the three species, as discovered by previous genetic studies: each species of Chimpanzee shares about 3% of genetic traits with humans that are not found in other chimpanzee species.”
The researchers led a team studying seven deceased Bonobos from the Antwerp Zoo, which are currently being preserved. The researchers noted that this presents an extremely rare opportunity as Bonobos are currently in a state of alarm.
Scientists emphasize that a clear understanding of what differentiates humans from their closest relatives could provide insights or breakthroughs regarding human physiology.
Further studies are ongoing to uncover additional evidence about the ultimate common ancestor of humans.
