Ponginae

Ponginae is a subfamily within the family Hominidae (the great apes) that includes orangutans and their extinct relatives. The only living members are the genus Pongo, which comprises three recognized orangutan species: Pongo abelii (Sumatran orangutan), Pongo pygmaeus (Bornean orangutan), and Pongo tapanuliensis (Tapanuli orangutan). The subfamily also contains several extinct pongine genera, such as Sivapithecus and Gigantopithecus, which are considered close relatives of the orangutans, though their exact positions vary among classifications.

Taxonomy and relationships within Hominidae position Ponginae as one of the two subfamilies, the other being Homininae (humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas). Within Ponginae, the tribe Pongini traditionally includes the genus Pongo and its fossil relatives; the placement of certain fossil taxa can differ depending on the classification system.

Evolutionary history is informed by both molecular data and the fossil record. The divergence between Ponginae and the African great ape lineage (Homininae) occurred in the early Miocene, roughly 14–16 million years ago. The orangutan lineage within Ponginae began to distinguish itself from other pongines around 9–12 million years ago, leading to the orangutans that inhabit Southeast Asia today and their extinct relatives.

Distribution and ecology: Living orangutans are native to the tropical forests of Sumatra and Borneo. They are highly arboreal, exhibiting long arms and a slow life history, with females tending toward solitary or semi-solitary social structures and males often maintaining large home ranges. They construct nests in trees for sleeping and are primarily frugivorous.

Conservation: All living pongines are endangered due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and poaching, with ongoing efforts focused on habitat protection, restoration, and reducing human-wildlife conflict.