Pairwise mtDNA distances among Great Ape mitochondrial DNA genomes
Observed counts of distances over the 15,447 bp mtDNA
coding region are given in the lower left matrix.
Notice the scale of DNA differences across
species, genera, and families. The San and SMC
lineages (Haplogroups L2 & U, respectively) are
representative of the two most distinctive lineages in Homo
sapiens. The Neanderthal lineage is equally
differentiated from both. Chimpanzees (Pan
troglodytes) are equally divergent from all Homo
lineages, and Gorillas (G. gorilla) are
equally different from Pan and Homo.
Genetic divergences reflects time of separation, rather
than perceived organismal differentiation.
Data after SMC Flynn & SM Carr (2015); Text material © 2025 by Steven M. Carr