The bonobo (scientific name: Pan paniscus) is one of two living species of chimpanzees. Bonobos are found only in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where their range spans more than 500,000 square kilometers (193,000 square miles).
Although bonobos are close relatives of humans, they are one of the least studied apes. This is because bonobos live in a remote rainforest area that is difficult to access.
Bonobos are endangered. About 20,000 bonobos remain in the wild. Until now, scientists thought all bonobos belonged to one large population. However, a new study of bonobo genetics suggests something different.
Scientists sequenced the genomes of 30 bonobos born in different areas along the Congo River. This means the researchers looked at the genetic code of each individual. Scientists then compared the genetic information from these 30 bonobos with data from over 100 more wild bonobos.
What scientists found surprised them. The new data suggest bonobos are genetically separated into three distinct geographic groups. These groups have been split from each other for thousands of years, and they do not mix. It also means there is little gene flow, or movement of genetic material from one population to another.
The researchers estimate that one group of bonobos may have split from the other groups about 145,000 years ago. The other two groups may have split 60,000 years ago. This means the three bonobo groups have been separated much longer than scientists expected.
The three smaller, isolated bonobo populations are more in danger of being completely wiped out than a single population would be. This finding suggests that protecting all three genetically distinct populations of bonobos is important for conserving the species.
David Brown adapted this story for Mongabay Kids. It is based on an article by Charles Mpaka, published on Mongabay News:
