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What makes us human? Primate genome study offers some clues
The most comprehensive genomic study ever on primates - a group whose membership includes lemurs, monkeys, apes, and people - has revealed pivotal genetic traits that are uniquely human while refining the timeline for our evolutionary lineage's split from our closest cousins, the chimpanzees, and bonobos. Researchers said on Thursday they sequenced and analyzed the genomes of 233 primate species, comprising nearly half of those alive today, and surprisingly discovered that most boast greater genetic diversity - variation within a species that is vital for adaptation to changing environments and other challenges - than humans. There are more than 500 species of primates, including lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, Old and New World monkeys, the "small apes" - gibbons and siamangs - and the "great apes" - orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos. Lemurs and lorises are the least related to humans among primates. This could be because primate populations of different species have declined so quickly that their genetics has not yet had time to catch up and reflect that loss of population size." Source: IndiaToday
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