Interbreeding occurred between Denisovans and Neanderthals. The genetic map shows the impact of this. Faults in genetic makeup has shown there was a fertility cost of interbreedin between different ancestral groups. Neanderthals were not restricted to western Europe. A fossil from an adolescent shows Denisovans and Neanderthals interbred in the Denisova cave region of Russia.
Interbreeding occurred Denisovans Neanderthals. genetic map shows impact this. Faults genetic makeup shown fertility cost interbreedin different ancestoral groups. Modern humans interbred Denisovans 00 generations bred Neanderthals. Interbreeding associated reduced male fertility. Denisovan DN peaks Oceania, surprising amount found South Asians. Denisovan genes associated acute sense smell. Papua New Guinea Denisovan
Researchers analysed DN 257 individuals 20 different non-African populations world traces ancestry Neanderthals Denisovans — another group ancient humans lived same time — modern human genome. Previous studies shown present-day non-African people possess Neanderthal DNA, people, particularly people Oceania, Denisovan DNA. males happened carry Denisovan Neanderthal DN sections [of genome] successful terms producing offspring others. Professor David Reich analysis, published Current Biology, indicated modern humans interbred Denisovans 00 generations trysts Neanderthals.
hybridisation reduced male fertility according evidence significantly lower Denisovan Neanderthal ancestry X chromosome genes highly expressed testes tissues. "They're exactly parts genome would expect deficient infertility males hybrids," study co-author Professor David Reich Harvard Medical School. " would reflect males happened carry Denisovan Neanderthal DN sections successful terms producing offspring others, those sections removed first handful generations mixture occurred." "scars infertility" genetic history, relevant fertility populations contain mix ancestry today, Professor Reich said. 'Surprisingly high' Denisovan ancestry south Asia
showing peak Denisovan ancestry New Guinea — confirming found recent studies — Professor Reich colleagues found surprisingly concentration Denisovan genes individuals south Asia, Himalayas south-central India. " thought perhaps Denisovan ancestry somewhere intermediate east Asians west Eurasians ancestry mix that, didn't that," Professor Reich said. This unexpected result forced researchers rethink Denisovans moved Asia Eurasia. Denisovan genome map. Professor Reich theories emerging explain finding Denisovan ancestry south Asia. "One is actually independent encounter modern humans Denisovan somewhere Eurasian mainland contributed extra Denisovan ancestry people live today south Asia," said.
theory proposes Denisovan DN modern humans comes single encounter point history, hybrids encounter spread region, east south Asia New Guinea Australia. " subsequent mixture diluted Denisovan ancestry mainland, dilution occurred different extents, explaining variability today," Professor Reich said. team's genetic analysis added understanding impact Denisovan ancestry, suggestion Denisovan genes linked subtle sense smell.
