Ape - Classification and Evolution

Classification and Evolution

As discussed above, hominoid taxonomy has undergone several changes. Genetic analysis shows that hominoids diverged from the Old World monkeys between 29 million and 34.5 million years ago. The gibbons split from the rest about 18 mya, and the hominid splits happened 14 mya (Pongo), 7 mya (Gorilla), and 3-5 mya (Homo & Pan).

The families, and extant genera and species of hominoids are:

• Superfamily Hominoidea
  • Family Hylobatidae: gibbons ("lesser apes")
    • Genus Hylobates
      • Lar gibbon or white-handed gibbon, H. lar
      • Bornean white-bearded gibbon, H. albibarbis
      • Agile gibbon or black-handed gibbon, H. agilis
      • Müller's Bornean gibbon or grey gibbon, H. muelleri
      • Silvery gibbon, H. moloch
      • Pileated gibbon or capped gibbon, H. pileatus
      • Kloss's gibbon or Mentawai gibbon or bilou, H. klossii
    • Genus Hoolock
      • Western hoolock gibbon, H. hoolock
      • Eastern hoolock gibbon, H. leuconedys
    • Genus Symphalangus
      • Siamang, S. syndactylus
    • Genus Nomascus
      • Black crested gibbon, N. concolor
      • Eastern black crested gibbon, N. nasutus
      • Hainan black crested gibbon, N. hainanus
      • Southern white-cheeked gibbon N. siki
      • White-cheeked crested gibbon, N. leucogenys
      • Yellow-cheeked gibbon, N. gabriellae
  • Family Hominidae: hominids ("great apes", including humans)
    • Genus Pongo: orangutans
      • Bornean orangutan, P. pygmaeus
      • Sumatran orangutan, P. abelii
    • Genus Gorilla: gorillas
      • Western gorilla, G. gorilla
      • Eastern gorilla, G. beringei
    • Genus Homo: humans
      • Human, H. sapiens
    • Genus Pan: chimpanzees
      • Common chimpanzee, P. troglodytes
      • Bonobo, P. paniscus