What complex genetic process occurred between diverging Eastern and Western gorilla populations before their final separation?
Answer
Evidence of ancient admixture—a period of interbreeding
The narrative of the Eastern and Western gorilla split is not a simple, clean break where two populations immediately cease contact. Whole-genome analysis reveals a more intricate evolutionary history involving ancient admixture. This indicates that for a significant period after the initial divergence began, there was ongoing gene flow, meaning the differentiating Eastern and Western populations continued to interbreed before they finally separated completely. This admixture complicates the clean delineation of the primary split time but provides crucial insight into the dynamics of speciation in this lineage.
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