News Genetics

Evolution of gut bacteria tracks splits in primate species

Microbes may have played role in shaping ape, human evolution

silhouettes of primates

EASY RIDER  Gut bacteria have been passed down from the ancestors of humans and African apes for millennia, evolving alongside their hosts, says a new study that looked at bacteria from gorillas, bonobos, chimpanzees and humans. 

J. Segre and N. Salafsky/Science 2016 

By Amy McDermott

- More than 2 years ago

Microbes may have played a role in making us, us.