Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A September 2012 PMID 22891323

Generation times in wild chimpanzees and gorillas suggest earlier divergence times in great ape and human evolution.

Kevin E Langergraber, Kay Prüfer, Carolyn Rowney, Christophe Boesch, Catherine Crockford, Katie Fawcett, Eiji Inoue, Miho Inoue-Muruyama, John C Mitani, Martin N Muller, Martha M Robbins, Grit Schubert, Tara S Stoinski, Bence Viola, David Watts

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Mentions

125
Peak: 2 in Aug 2023
across 6 sources since Nov 2021

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

The group demonstrates a thoughtful engagement with the article, exemplified by comments about the molecular clock, fossil record, and debates over the timing of divergence events, with some users emphasizing the relevance of new genetic methods and others questioning their implications or the robustness of current fossil evidence.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the idea that our understanding of divergence times is shifting based on new molecular data, though some remain skeptical or seek additional sources.

InterestModerate interest

The discussions show a moderate level of curiosity, especially around the implications of earlier divergence times and methodological adjustments.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants reference specific studies, debate revision of estimates, and discuss fossil evidence, indicating thoughtful engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversation suggests this research influences how scholars and enthusiasts think about human origins, potentially affecting future studies and interpretations.

Abstract in brief

  • This study uses genetic parentage data from wild chimpanzees and gorillas to estimate their average generation times, providing an independent approach from fossil records.
  • They compare these estimates with human data and apply recent mutation rate estimates to determine divergence times, finding that humans and chimpanzees likely split around 7.8 million years ago.
  • The researchers also date the Neanderthal and modern human split to roughly 400,000 to 800,000 years ago, suggesting that molecular divergence times align with fossil evidence of early human and Neanderthal ancestors.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
John Hawks
@johnhawks · X

@B9F3G4 At the point we start looking at great ape single nucleotide mutation rates, it is useful to consider rates per year instead of per generation, because their generations are shorter than human generations. https://t.co/Ap9JikvMdR

Nov 14, 2021 · 1 like · 28,404 followers View post →
T.H. Huxley
@THHuxley1 · X

@tomshark @Ah_Science @TolleLege21 @TakeThatDarwin @JustRickard @mountainman827 @HunterAA6 @XLColdJ Not dirt+magic Peer-review 10, creationism zero https://t.co/v07oxalo5V

Aug 22, 2023 · 1 like · 304 followers View post →
T.H. Huxley
@THHuxley1 · X

@leroyb756 Another example of science being unconcerned with your ignorance. Peer-reviewed science 5, Leroy's dirt+magic myth 5. https://t.co/KhfnDXZCK6

Dec 5, 2023 · 1 like · 304 followers View post →
Rob O'Malley
@Rob_O_Malley · X

@WrldOfPaleoAnth I think revisions to the molecular clock estimates as well as more ppl taking Sahelanthropus more seriously as a hominin have shifted it back. Though I usually say 7-8mya (eg see below) and would be curious about a source for an earlier estimate. https://t.co/iy0MnVAxjf

Oct 22, 2023 · 1,536 followers View post →
T.H. Huxley
@THHuxley1 · X

@RoblovesJC Peer-reviewed Scientific Truth 3, Dirt + Magic Kung Fu Minister 0. https://t.co/v07oxalo5V

Jan 1, 2024 · 304 followers View post →
T.H. Huxley
@THHuxley1 · X

@natenotabot1234 @SeptembersRain @ZachsMind @theclipperslim @ChappyLeo @dan_cameron99 @ScienceQriosity @redharehorse @blowave @Imagicka @KirksCousin1 @JustinCPorter @_CROPES_ @TakeThatDarwin @Paleoguy073 @RobertK22245756 @EnithTea @outtasync @Craig84671918 @Anit10432231 @BenP112233 @curtisdaddylove @dougpasnak @rantyskeptic @EDGEinthewild @ODanaos @TBesserwisser @Sapphirology @dj_halling @WoopsWoah @GreekVikingX @Dwyertd @MoPal63461 @CursedDavyJones @LisaSimpsonLib @Smilodon85 @DiPolarPilot @Ah_Science @NatGeo https://t.co/v07oxalo5V

Aug 12, 2023 · 304 followers View post →

All mentions

Haman
@djanirou · X

@AntoninDramski @Kamaglory97 @Imaginary_Flame Le "Missing Link" désigne le dernier ancêtre commun (DAC) des humains et chimpanzés, dont aucun fossile n’a été clairement identifié. Les études d’horloge moléculaire placent littéralement

Jun 23, 2025 · 44 followers View post →
Fathima Gani R
@fgrsmiles · X

Generation times in wild chimpanzees and gorillas suggest earlier divergence times in great ape and human evolution. https://t.co/v3M9IPFb8N

May 16, 2024 · 99 followers View post →
T.H. Huxley
@THHuxley1 · X

@RoblovesJC Peer-reviewed Scientific Truth 3, Dirt + Magic Kung Fu Minister 0. https://t.co/v07oxalo5V

Jan 1, 2024 · 304 followers View post →
T.H. Huxley
@THHuxley1 · X

@leroyb756 Another example of science being unconcerned with your ignorance. Peer-reviewed science 5, Leroy's dirt+magic myth 5. https://t.co/KhfnDXZCK6

Dec 5, 2023 · 1 like · 304 followers View post →
Rob O'Malley
@Rob_O_Malley · X

@WrldOfPaleoAnth I think revisions to the molecular clock estimates as well as more ppl taking Sahelanthropus more seriously as a hominin have shifted it back. Though I usually say 7-8mya (eg see below) and would be curious about a source for an earlier estimate. https://t.co/iy0MnVAxjf

Oct 22, 2023 · 1,536 followers View post →
T.H. Huxley
@THHuxley1 · X

@tomshark @Ah_Science @TolleLege21 @TakeThatDarwin @JustRickard @mountainman827 @HunterAA6 @XLColdJ Not dirt+magic Peer-review 10, creationism zero https://t.co/v07oxalo5V

Aug 22, 2023 · 1 like · 304 followers View post →
T.H. Huxley
@THHuxley1 · X

@natenotabot1234 @SeptembersRain @ZachsMind @theclipperslim @ChappyLeo @dan_cameron99 @ScienceQriosity @redharehorse @blowave @Imagicka @KirksCousin1 @JustinCPorter @_CROPES_ @TakeThatDarwin @Paleoguy073 @RobertK22245756 @EnithTea @outtasync @Craig84671918 @Anit10432231 @BenP112233 @curtisdaddylove @dougpasnak @rantyskeptic @EDGEinthewild @ODanaos @TBesserwisser @Sapphirology @dj_halling @WoopsWoah @GreekVikingX @Dwyertd @MoPal63461 @CursedDavyJones @LisaSimpsonLib @Smilodon85 @DiPolarPilot @Ah_Science @NatGeo https://t.co/v07oxalo5V

Aug 12, 2023 · 304 followers View post →
T.H. Huxley
@THHuxley1 · X

@proundpapaof3 @Bigteethyouhave @TeaseUsDiced @Chuckychuckles1 @VinceGottalotta @tip_ct @tsmee66 @PhysicistTx @cannoli1000 @ShellyRKirchoff @ThereseOSulliv2 @rosegar17673310 @Godslightangel7 @TreatHunterDog @dqschmitt15 @lostandlovinit @LukeSo20 @KsLiberal @dirk_fasshauer @1961mcruzer @Natural_Femme @JimBowersclimb @SoulNature9 @yourmomswatchin @Lietdansnewlegs @__TeekeeMon @Missy8008135 @KimberlyMcKeeve @JulieMu36442360 @8BrianVogel4 @AgainMothra @Wanderinglord @fwe1991 @Synyster63 @_CapitalOffense @DigiVorr @Littlwritergir1 @RoyLovesAmerica @CarmenB84085948 @RoyQHobbs @Vickie627 @Nrthms1 @ghost_of_tick @WoodcutterBrian @Resistenzanow @slim90866101 @42Gnome @Flattielover @DigiMalice @itisjustmebabe 6/ https://t.co/v07oxalo5V

Jul 15, 2023 · 304 followers View post →
Fathima Gani R
@fgrsmiles · X

Generation times in wild chimpanzees and gorillas suggest earlier divergence times in great ape and human evolution. https://t.co/v3M9IPFIYl

Dec 27, 2022 · 99 followers View post →
John Hawks
@johnhawks · X

@B9F3G4 At the point we start looking at great ape single nucleotide mutation rates, it is useful to consider rates per year instead of per generation, because their generations are shorter than human generations. https://t.co/Ap9JikvMdR

Nov 14, 2021 · 1 like · 28,404 followers View post →