[cell.com]
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Denisovans are an extinct group of humans whose morphology remains unknown. Here, we present a method for reconstructing skeletal morphology using DNA methylation patterns. Our method is based on linking unidirectional methylation changes to loss-of-function phenotypes. We tested performance by reconstructing Neanderthal and chimpanzee skeletal morphologies and obtained >85% precision in identifying divergent traits. We then applied this method to the Denisovan and offer a putative morphological profile. We suggest that Denisovans likely shared with Neanderthals traits such as an elongated face and a wide pelvis. We also identify Denisovan-derived changes, such as an increased dental arch and lateral cranial expansion. Our predictions match the only morphologically informative Denisovan bone to date, as well as the Xuchang skull, which was suggested by some to be a Denisovan. We conclude that DNA methylation can be used to reconstruct anatomical features, including some that do not survive in the fossil record.
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Very little is known about the anatomy of Denisovans. The first specimen, Denisova 3, comprises a manual phalanx found in the Denisova cave in Siberia, dated between 74 and 82 thousand years ago. DNA extracted from this bone indicated that this individual belonged to a sister group of Neanderthals, thereafter called Denisovans. These two groups separated 390–440 thousand years ago, and their ancestors split from our lineage between 520 and 630 thousand years ago, though these datings are still under debate. Based on this genome, Denisovan ancestry of up to 6% was detected in present-day Melanesians and Aboriginal Australians and to a lesser level in East Asians, Native Americans, and Polynesians. Some introgressed Denisovan haplotypes might have conferred modern humans an adaptive advantage in high-altitude and cold climates."
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Note: There is a lot more of this scientific, peer-reviewed article, including many great skeletal diagrams. [cell.com]
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"This image is based on reconstructed skeletal features of a Denisovan girl, who lived in what’s now Siberia around 50,000 years ago." (A different article containing this image was posted on agnostic.com recently.)" [sciencenews.org] .... 2nd and 3rd Images
[popular-archaeology.com]
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Personal Note:
(Since I live in Hawaii, I'm often curious about Polynesians' ancient ancestry. I read several scholarly articles, among them the article posted here, and I learned more information from each article.)*
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I believe I work with a couple of Denisovans, may have dated a couple...
Interesting.
I'm very interested to learn how archeology and anthropology reveal previously unknown ancient human history all the time.
So much of Human evolution is a '$64,000 Question'. But pieces of the puzzle are excavated daily, throughout the World.
Yes, @MojoDave just posted [agnostic.com] an article about human DNA in some Melanesians that isn't related to any known human ancestor.
This is nothing short of amazing!! Keep going and keep us all informed!
The article was an internet discovery I chanced upon while browsing online magazines. I clicked on a link in an article and found it.
I love this kind of work but know very little about it.
It is interesting fun to learn about evolutionary details.
Think I actually understood that description.. Fascinating! Love the DNA research, to me, leaving no room for myth/s…
And thank you for posting so much of the article, as I rarely follow links ...leading to black screens, paywalls, popup & banner ads… (no more)
I’ve watched every documentary program I’ve come across on the findings and lineage of humans. This is perhaps the first confirmed info linking the Austrialian Aboriginals to an earlier form of human. Of course it’s instantly claimed as ‘racism’ to question their primitive appearance, but it’s there, and so are they -- with up to 6% of “Denisovan ancestry.”
Wonderful post - thanks again
It is fascinating to me too, and you're entirely welcome.
This is fascinating! The wonders of modern science! The origins of our species is such a mystery still. Wonder about things to come in our evolution.
Everything I've ever read on this fascinating subject is amusing as well as interesting. It amuses me because the facts make an absolute mockery of anybody who says "I'm 100% this or that" or "I'm a pure bred such and such". The truth is that nobody is 100% anything. We're all mongrels and should be proud of it. I look forward to the day when the whole species is so thoroughly interbred that there are no visible traces of Irish or Greek or Indian ancestry. We'll all be a nice shade of brown.
I certainly agree.
I'd like to go one step further. If I moved back to Australia, I'd love to be able to really crank up my melanin production. I'd love to be Northern Territory aboriginal blue-black, with long brown hair and blue eyes.