The phrase "ape cousins" refers to animals that are related to apes, like chimpanzees and gorillas. It highlights their close genetic resemblance to humans and suggests that they share a common ancestor with us.
Ever since the human genome was sequenced a decade ago, researchers have dreamed about deciphering DNA from our three great ape cousins as well. (sciencemag.org)
Hvilsom et al.'s study shows that we are not unique among our great - ape cousins in dallying with other branches of our family tree. (newscientist.com)
Now imagine a similar scene involving our closest ape cousins. (newscientist.com)