Chimp is not the closest species to human ancestors?

Bonobo's muscular studies and discovering them are more closely related to humans than ordinary Chimpanzees.

According to ScienceDaily, a new study examining Bonobo's muscular system provides direct evidence that rare and precious ancient apes can be more closely related, anatomically. with human ancestors compared to ordinary chimpanzees. Previous research proposed this theory at the molecular level, but this is the first study to compare the anatomical details of all three species.

Photo of a Bonobo.

"Bonobo's muscles have changed the least, which means they can be," said Bernard Bob, professor of human origin research at the George Washington Center for Biology Research Center (WD). "living" ancestors closest to us ".

Scientists believe that the chimps / Bonobos and modern humans were divided about 8 million years ago compared to the two ancient monkey species divided about 2 million years ago (before 8 million years ago). When common chimpanzees and Bonobos evolved after division, they developed different physical characteristics and traits, even though they still live in close proximity to each other, with the main division area. is the Congo River.

For this reason, researchers are curious about these differences and how they are similar to humans. By studying Bonobos muscles (specific to the function of the body), the team discovered that they are more closely related to humans anatomically than normal chimpanzees, according to meaning that their muscles have changed less than ordinary chimpanzees.

Previous studies have examined DNA similarities and differences between Bonobos and common chimpanzees, but this is the first study to compare the muscles of three species.

Rui Diogo, the lead author of the paper, said an assistant professor of surgery at Howard University: "In addition, our research has shown that there is a mosaic evolution (the mosaic is a blend of DNA). of at least two species) of these three species, in the sense that some features are shared between all three species, have some common traits between humans and Bonobo species, some other common features between humans and chimpanzees. common, and common characteristics left with two ancient monkeys.

Such anatomical evolution may be related to the same mosaic evolution at the molecular level between the three species discovered by previous genetic studies: each chimpanzee species has the same interval. 3% of genetic characteristics with humans but not in other chimpanzees ".

Researchers led a research group of seven dead Bonobos from Antwerp Zoo and are being preserved. Researchers say this is an extremely rare opportunity in Bonobos that is on alert.

Scientists note that a clear understanding of what makes people different from the nearest relatives can bring new insights or breakthroughs to human health.

Further research is still underway to find new evidence for the last common ancestor of humans.