撰文丨王聪 编辑丨王多鱼 排版丨水成文 长臂猿 （长臂猿科） ，是一种与人类和类人猿关系密切的小型猿类，其生存状况受到威胁，但相关研究仍 不足。 2026 年 1 月 8 日，国际顶尖学术期刊 Cell 刊登了一项来自中国团队的 封面论文 ， 该研究由中国科学院 昆明动物研究所牵头，联合中国科学院古脊椎动物与古人类研究所、中山大学、陕西省考古研究院、山东 大学等国内外多家科研机构完成，论文题为： Genome sequences of extant and extinct gibbons reveal their phylogeny, demographic history, and conservation status 。 中国科学院昆明动物研究所 吴东东 研究员、中国科学院古脊椎动物与古人类研究所 付巧妹 研究员和中山大学 范朋飞 教授为该论文共同通讯 作者。 该 研究通过对现存及已灭绝的 长臂猿 的 大规模基因组测序与比较分析， 系统阐明了长臂猿科的演化历 程、种群动态及其标志性长臂表型的遗传基础 ，为全球长臂猿的保护行动提供了新的科学见解。 封面图为 海南长臂猿 （ Nomascus hainanu ...

Core Insights - The research led by the Kunming Institute of Zoology has successfully unraveled the evolutionary relationships, endangered history, and genetic basis of the gibbon phenotype, providing scientific support for species conservation [2][3] Group 1: Research Findings - The study utilized advanced genomic techniques to construct the most comprehensive gibbon genome dataset to date, covering 18 extant gibbon species and three ancient samples, including the extinct "Gentle Gibbon" [2] - The research established the evolutionary sequence of the four major gibbon genera, resolving a century-long classification dispute and confirming the "Gentle Gibbon" found in the tomb of Emperor Qin's grandmother belongs to the Hoolock genus [3] - Genetic analysis indicated that most gibbons experienced a population bottleneck during the Late Pleistocene, approximately 100,000 to 200,000 years ago, with a synchronous recovery around 70,000 years ago, closely linked to global climate changes [3] Group 2: Genetic Mechanisms - The study identified a specific deletion in the SHH gene regulatory region, which is crucial for the long-limbed "brachiation" characteristic of gibbons, revealing the core genetic mechanisms behind the evolution of gibbon traits [3] Group 3: Future Implications - This research is a significant achievement in the international "Primate Genome Project" initiated by the Kunming Institute of Zoology, which will continue to provide a high-throughput, precise research platform for life sciences in China and globally, aiding in biomedicine development and biodiversity conservation [4]