Biological anthropologist Alice Roberts said chimpanzees are the closest living relatives of humans.
This genetic and anatomical connection provides critical insight into human evolution. Understanding these similarities allows scientists to better map the divergence of species and the development of complex traits shared by primates.
Research indicates that chimpanzees and bonobos share more than 98% of human DNA [1]. This high degree of genetic similarity is a primary driver for the classification of these apes as the most closely related species to humans [1].
Beyond genetics, the connection is visible in physical structures. Roberts said that chimpanzees possess comparable anatomical features to humans, including the size of the humerus, and the presence of opposable thumbs [2]. These shared traits suggest a common ancestral blueprint that has persisted across millions of years of evolution.
"Chimpanzees are our closest living relatives," Roberts said [2].
The overlap extends to the bonobo, which, along with the chimpanzee, maintains the high genetic threshold of more than 98% similarity [1]. These physiological links help researchers understand how specific biological adaptations occurred in the human lineage while remaining absent or different in other primates.
While the genetic overlap is vast, the small percentage of difference accounts for the distinct cognitive and physical divergence between the species. The study of these similarities continues to inform the broader understanding of primate behavior and conservation needs.
“Chimpanzees and bonobos share more than 98% of our DNA”
The high percentage of shared DNA underscores a recent common ancestry in evolutionary terms. By identifying the specific genetic markers that differ despite the 98% similarity, scientists can isolate the mutations and adaptations that led to uniquely human characteristics, such as advanced language and complex social structures.
