Approximately how long ago did the Eastern Gorilla (*G. beringei*) and *Gorilla gorilla* diverge?
Answer
77,700 years ago
Genetic research indicates that the evolutionary divergence between the two recognized species of gorilla—the Eastern Gorilla (*Gorilla beringei*) and the Western Gorilla (*Gorilla gorilla*)—occurred approximately 77,700 years ago. This separation event is a crucial point in understanding the distinct evolutionary pathways and the resulting measurable physical differences that now exist between these eastern and western populations, cementing their status as separate species in modern consensus, rather than older classifications grouping them as one species with three subspecies.
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