In the most extensive genomic study conducted on primates, researchers have uncovered genetic traits that are exclusive to humans while refining the timeline of our evolutionary split from chimpanzees and bonobos, our closest relatives.
The study involved sequencing and analyzing the genomes of 233 primate species, representing nearly half of all primate species alive today. Surprisingly, the researchers found that most primate species exhibit greater genetic diversity than humans, which is crucial for adaptation to changing environments.
While some genetic variations previously believed to be unique to humans were found in other primate species, the researchers identified specific genetic traits related to brain function and development that are exclusively human. They also utilized primate genomes to train an artificial intelligence algorithm for predicting disease-causing genetic mutations in humans.
The study’s lead author, Lukas Kuderna, highlighted the importance of studying primate genomic diversity not only for understanding human diseases but also for addressing the ongoing biodiversity crisis.
Primates comprise various species such as lemurs, monkeys, apes, and humans, with lemurs and lorises being the least related to humans. Chimpanzees and bonobos share approximately 98.8% of our DNA and are the genetically closest to humans.
The research adjusted the timeline for the divergence between the evolutionary lineages that led to humans and chimpanzees/bonobos, placing it between 6.9 million and 9 million years ago—slightly older than previous estimates. The human lineage subsequently acquired distinctive traits like bipedalism, longer limbs, and a larger brain, leading to the emergence of Homo sapiens around 300,000 years ago.
The study also explored the origins of primates as a group, with their last common ancestor estimated to have lived between 63.3 million and 58.3 million years ago. Human-related threats, including habitat destruction, climate change, and hunting, have placed about 60% of primate species at risk of extinction.
Despite humans having lower genetic diversity compared to most primate species, the study emphasized that genetic variation alone is not a reliable predictor of extinction risk. The genome data can, however, assist in identifying primate species in urgent need of conservation efforts.
Endangered primates, such as the Western black crested gibbon and the northern sportive lemur, were among the species studied, highlighting the importance of preserving their genetic diversity before it is irreversibly lost due to declining populations.
