Study Finds DNA from 'Ghost Ancestors' in All Humans
Researchers used a new genome method to trace 2 unknown archaic lineages, including one shared by all humans and another linked to Denisovans.
- Yesterday, UC Berkeley researchers published findings in the journal Science identifying DNA from unknown 'ghost' ancient human lineages within modern genomes.
- Unlike previous approaches relying on rare fossil DNA, this new method—TRACE—analyzes complete genomes from present-day humans to reconstruct ancient genealogical relationships.
- Every modern human carries about 0.5% to 1% of their genome from this ghost lineage, which likely split off from our branch more than 500,000 years ago.
- In Oceanian genomes, researchers identified about 0.002% super-archaic DNA likely introduced through interbreeding with Denisovans.
- Study co-author Villanea noted that "hybridization is the norm and not the exception," suggesting human evolution functioned as a complex network of mixing rather than a simple branching tree.
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41 Articles
Scientists were searching for human ancestors.
Scientists Find Traces of Two Unknown Archaic Hominins in Human DNA
New research led by the University of California, Berkeley reveals that beyond Neanderthals and Denisovans, humans interbred with two mysterious ‘ghost’ lineages: one in Africa more than 50,000 years ago, another in Eurasia over 1.7 million years ago. The post Scientists Find Traces of Two Unknown Archaic Hominins in Human DNA appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
Mysterious DNA: two unknown ancestors found in human genome
The human family tree is gaining new branches. Researchers have found in modern humans' DNA signs of two previously unknown ancestors – extinct human forms with no fossils or decoded DNA, yet they have left traces in our genome.
Not just Neanderthals: Ghost lineage in Africa left its mark on our DNA
Some group with no modern descendants contributed a lot to our genomes.
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