 Genetic evidence (cytochrome b sequences) has suggested that the genus "Nasuella" should be merged into "Nasua", as the latter is otherwise paraphyletic.Other genetic studies have shown that the closest relatives of the coatis are the olingos (genus "Bassaricyon"); the two lineages are thought to have diverged about 10.2 million years ago.In the wild, coatis live for about seven years, while in captivity they can live for up to 15 or 16 years.