The rare ape bonobo is more closely related to humans compared to chimpanzees. While it was previously suggested that the bonobos might be the proper fit in human evolution, the recent comparison provided a comprehensive data. Bonobo is the nearest semblance of humans on the anatomical level.
Researchers made a triple comparison of the three species with a focus on the muscular anatomy of each. According to human origins professor Bernard Wood of the GW Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, bonobos are the closest "living ancestor" of humans. This is especially so because the bonobo's muscular structure did not change much for millions of years.
It is a common scientific notion that the modern human split from apes, specifically the bonobo and chimpanzee some 8 million years ago. On the contrary, the two ape species split just 2 million years ago. These eventual split led to the bonobo and chimpanzee to develop their respective traits, according to Phys.org.
Considering the close geographical proximity of the bonobo and chimpanzee, scientists began to wonder what unique traits does the two have after the split. Then they compared the two specimens to those of humans. Apparently, the bonobo changed very little and their physical functions are more closely related to humans than the chimpanzee.
There has been a previous research about the DNA similarities of the three but this marked the first focus on the muscular level, Science Daily said. There is 3 percent similarity on the human DNA to both of the chimpanzee and bonobo. Further, there are other common features being shared between the three species - humans to bonobos, or humans to chimpanzees.
Meanwhile, the research team stressed that no bonobo was hurt in the procedure - given their status as endangered species. There were seven preserved bonobos in Antwerp who recently died. This rare opportunity might lead to a potential medical breakthrough since the study differentiates the humans to both bonobos and chimpanzees.