In Episode 22, young Asuka is shown to have a monkey doll. It is probably safe to assume monkey, and by extension, all other primates exist in the NGE universe.
In our universe, primate is a monophyletic group, which includes all species arisen from a common ancestor. If primates have evolved similarly in the NGE universe, all primates will share a similar genetic pattern.
Since there is a theory that Lilin's evolution is somehow guided, my questions are the following:
- At which point did the guided evolution start? Did it affect any of H. sapiens' sister groups?
- What is the relationship between non-human primates and Angels?