Amazing stuff!
"... An analysis of the robust mandible’s ancient proteins published in Science reveals it belonged to a Denisovan, a close cousin of Neanderthals that lived roughly between 400,000 years to 30,000 years ago. To date, all other Denisovan fossils confirmed using molecular methods—that is, through ancient DNA or ancient protein analysis—came from frigid, high-altitude locations in Siberia and the Tibetan Plateau. The Taiwan mandible confirms Denisovans also lived in hot, humid places, as well.
That tracks with genetic data indicating Denisovans interbred with modern humans, especially those in Island Southeast Asia, given the fact that certain populations there today derive between 1% and 5% of their genomes from those ancient encounters. And now that researchers can confidently match morphology with Denisovan-specific protein sequences ...
From the editor's summary and abstract:
"Editor’s summary
Denisovans are a Pleistocene hominin lineage first identified genomically and known from only a few fossils. Although genomic studies suggest that they were widespread throughout Asia, fossils of this group have thus far only been identified from regions with cold climates, Siberia and Tibet. Tsutaya et al. used ancient proteomic analysis on a previously unidentified hominin mandible from Taiwan and identified it as having belonged to a male Denisovan. This identification confirms previous genomic predictions of the group’s widespread occurrence, including in warmer climates. The robust nature of this mandible is similar to that seen in a Denisovan one from Tibet, suggesting that this is a consistent trait for the lineage. ...
Abstract
Denisovans are an extinct hominin group defined by ancient genomes of Middle to Late Pleistocene fossils from southern Siberia. Although genomic evidence suggests their widespread distribution throughout eastern Asia and possibly Oceania, so far only a few fossils from the Altai and Tibet are confidently identified molecularly as Denisovan.
We identified a hominin mandible (Penghu 1) from Taiwan (10,000 to 70,000 years ago or 130,000 to 190,000 years ago) as belonging to a male Denisovan by applying ancient protein analysis. We retrieved 4241 amino acid residues and identified two Denisovan-specific variants.
The increased fossil sample of Denisovans demonstrates their wider distribution, including warm and humid regions, as well as their shared distinct robust dentognathic traits that markedly contrast with their sister group, Neanderthals."
A male Denisovan jawbone from Taiwan expands the known geographic range of this extinct human group (original news release) "Denisovans A team of international researchers based in Denmark, Japan and Taiwan has made a significant breakthrough in the field of paleoanthropology with the attribution of a Pleistocene mandible from Taiwan to a male Denisovan. The study reveals new insights into the distribution and anatomy of Denisovans, an extinct hominin group"
A male Denisovan mandible from Pleistocene Taiwan (no public access)
A fishing vessel dredged up this fossil jawbone, now confirmed as Denisovan, from the Taiwan Strait.
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