• Re: Denisovan jaw from Taiwan

    From Primum Sapienti@21:1/5 to erik simpson on Sun Apr 13 22:25:15 2025
    erik simpson wrote:
    https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ads3888?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D91196085935417329474603991401538090131%7CMCORGID%3D242B6472541199F70A4C98A6%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1744251640


    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.

    Very interesting. Thanks. The dating is confusing. I
    even looked at some of the popular press accounts to
    see if there might have been some clarification
    (sometimes a principal investigator is interviewed)
    but I didn't see anything useful.

    Shorter link

    https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ads3888

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