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Population collapse almost wiped out human ancestors, say scientists
- An unknown species of early human faced near extinction around 900,000 years ago, with the population reduced to just 1,280 breeding individuals that survived for 117,000 years. This genetic analysis suggests a drastic reduction in human ancestors before the emergence of Homo sapiens. The study indicates a global population crash that affected human genetic diversity and may explain the gap in the fossil record during that period.
- Climate change during the Early-Middle Pleistocene transition, characterized by longer and more intense glacial cycles and periods of drought, may have led to the extinction of human ancestors. The changing climate wiped out many early humans and forced the emergence of new human species, including the last common ancestor of modern humans, Neanderthals, and Denisovans.
- The study used a methodology based on genome sequencing and reconstructed ancient population dynamics by examining genetic data from modern-day humans. Further archaeological and fossil evidence is required to support these findings and determine if the 1,280 survivors were indeed the ancestors of Neanderthals, Denisovans, and modern humans.
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A study published in the journal Science reveals that the first human ancestors went through a long and serious bottleneck in which approximately 1,280...
·Madrid, Spain
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Total News Sources18
Leaning Left4Leaning Right2Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution65% Center
Bias Distribution
- 65% of the sources are Center
65% Center
L 23%
C 65%
12%
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