Bonobos, our endangered great ape relatives, have been found to be even more vulnerable than previously thought, according to a genetics study led by a researcher from UCL. The study, published in Current Biology by an international team of researchers from UCL, University of Vienna, and Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, reveals the existence of three distinct populations of bonobos.
These three groups of bonobos have been living separately in different regions of Central Africa for tens of thousands of years. Genetic tests conducted by the research team confirmed the presence of three distinct groups of bonobos, originating in central, western, and far-western regions of the bonobo range. Surprisingly, the differences between these groups are as significant as those seen between the most closely-related chimpanzee subspecies.
Bonobos, often seen as peaceful primates, are closely related to humans and share about 99% of our genetic makeup. However, with only around 20,000 individuals remaining in the wild, they are classified as endangered. Bonobos are the least studied great ape species due to their exclusive habitat in the Congo Basin of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where research activities have been limited due to social unrest.
Dr. Sojung Han, joint first author of the study, highlighted the unique social behavior of bonobos, including their tight social groups and peaceful, egalitarian nature. The research team analyzed the genomic data of 30 bonobos living in captivity, sequencing the exomes of 20 individuals and analyzing the full genomes of 10 others.
The researchers estimated that the central group of bonobos diverged from the other two groups 145,000 years ago, with the two western groups diverging 60,000 years ago. Lead author Professor Aida Andrés emphasized the importance of conserving all three groups of bonobos to protect the species’ genetic diversity and ensure their survival in changing environments.
Conservation efforts for bonobos should take into account the genetic differences between the three groups, particularly when planning habitat preservation, translocations, or potential reintroductions. Dr. Cesare de Filippo, another joint first author, highlighted the role of studying the genomes of endangered species in understanding their populations and aiding conservation efforts.
The research, supported by Wellcome and the Max Planck Society, involved researchers from the UK, Austria, Germany, Spain, Denmark, and Israel. The findings underscore the vulnerability of bonobos as an endangered species and stress the importance of protecting their environment for their conservation.
In conclusion, the study sheds light on the genetic diversity of bonobos and the need to protect all three distinct populations to ensure the survival of this fascinating and charismatic species. Further research into the adaptations of these groups may provide valuable insights for conservation efforts in the future.
