Protein in Homo erectus teeth suggests Denisovans gave us some of their DNA

Distinct form of tooth protein in <i>Homo erectus</i> shows up in Denisovans—and us.

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[numerobis]

We’re all descended from H erectus, so it feels like something is missing from the writeup.

Edit: the abstract mentions H erectus from Dmanisi (from 1.8 Mya) not having this variant, while the new East Asian samples from 0.4 Mya and newer do have it. So the assumption is that East Asian H erectus evolved this variant after splitting off from what became the new Homo species.

 

[Randomizer]

"And, in fact, it’s found in the genomes of many modern human populations that include DNA sequences, such as populations found in India and the Philippines."

Do other populations not have have genome sequences? And then at the end of the article:

"If they’re right, then that means that many of the modern human populations that have this variant—and it’s present in over 20 percent of some populations native to the Philippines—have ended up with some Homo erectus DNA in their genomes."

Same thing? So is that sequence found in India as well?

Interesting article, truly, but it looks like it needs another few tweaks. John's articles are usually top-notch.

Now, on to substance - Denisovans interbred with Neanderthals and with modern humans. Did they go back far enough to co-exist with Homo Erectus? I don't see any mention of Neanderthal teeth being analyzed. I thought the times Neanderthals and Denisovans existed overlapped significantly and there was a lot of interbreeding between the two, as well as between modern humans and Denisovans? According to Wikipedia, there were many remains found of both Denisovan-Neanderthal hybrids and Denisovan-Modern hybrids.

 

[raxadian]

Do we know the specific species we got wisdom teeth from?

 

[AI_Skeptic]

If modern human interbred successfully with Neanderthals and potentially Homo Erectus, wouldn't that mean they are the same species?

 

[archtop]

We come from a big family.

 

[aleph_nought]

Now, on to substance - Denisovans interbred with Neanderthals and with modern humans. Did they go back far enough to co-exist with Homo Erectus? I don't see any mention of Neanderthal teeth being analyzed. I thought the times Neanderthals and Denisovans existed overlapped significantly and there was a lot of interbreeding between the two, as well as between modern humans and Denisovans? According to Wikipedia, there were many remains found of both Denisovan-Neanderthal hybrids and Denisovan-Modern hybrids.

If Homo erectus from east Asia at around 0.4 Mya had the new gene, were any Denisovans or Neanderthals around in the same area at the same time? That would have been far too early for modern humans who were still in Africa.

Looking at other animal species, if two species share the same place and time and they're compatible for mating, then odds are likely they will mate. Bonking is universal.

 

[SubWoofer2]

the same species?

I look forward to discussion of what a species is. Dogs, wolves, and other canis appear to be very plastic or mutable and IMO people are similarly plastic.

 

[Maxipad]

I look forward to discussion of what a species is. Dogs, wolves, and other canis appear to be very plastic or mutable and IMO people are similarly plastic.

So, the debate has gone on here before and also in academia. Recent archaic humans and modern humans are either one species interbreeding or subspecies interbreeding. If the latter, that makes modern humans a hybrid species.

Take your choice. I don't know if there's a consensus presently. Whatever your position there was definitely a considerable amount of interbreeding with more evidence showing up every year.

This was good work by this team.

 

[numerobis]

I look forward to discussion of what a species is. Dogs, wolves, and other canis appear to be very plastic or mutable and IMO people are similarly plastic.

A species is a variant with an army and a navy.