News in Brief Animals

Colugo genome reveals gliders as primate cousins

colugo with young in tree

A new genetic study adds to evidence that tree-dwelling colugos are closely related to primates. 

Photo courtesy of Norman Lim

By Helen Thompson

- More than 2 years ago

Primates may have some high-flying relatives. Colugos, small mammals that glide from treetop to treetop in forests throughout Southeast Asia, have an evolutionary history that’s long been debated. Their teeth look similar to tree shrews’ teeth, while other skull and genetic features resemble those of primates.