What do we know about the Denisovans?

Using DNA analysis, scientists have determined how Denisovans differed physically from modern humans and Neanderthals. Denisovans resembled Neanderthals in many key traits, such as robust jaws, low craniums, low foreheads, wide pelvises, wide fingertips, and large rib cages.

What was unique about Denisovans?

They also appeared to have no chin. The experts predict many Denisovan traits that are similar to that of Neanderthals including a sloping forehead, long face and large pelvis, and others that are unique among humans, like a large dental arch.

Why Denisovans are significant to our understanding of human evolutionary history?

The Denisovans are the first ancient hominin species to be revealed by genes alone, not by fossil classification. While placed in the Homo genus, they have not yet been given a species classification as no physical description exists. They are named after the Denisova Cave in Russia where the first fossils were found.

Did Denisovans breed with humans?

In Eurasia, interbreeding between Neanderthals and Denisovans with modern humans took place several times. The introgression events into modern humans are estimated to have happened about 47,000–65,000 years ago with Neanderthals and about 44,000–54,000 years ago with Denisovans.

What killed the denisovans?

Image credit: Maayan Harel. By 10,000 years ago, they were all gone. The disappearance of these species resembles a mass extinction. But there’s no obvious environmental catastrophe — volcanic eruptions, climate change, asteroid impact — driving it.

What are the shared social behavioral characteristics of primates?

There are also affiliative behaviors which encourage stronger associations among individuals over time. Close proximity, grooming and non-aggressive social interactions are expected characteristics of well-bonded primates. Grooming is a multifunctional behavior.

What is the age range of the Denisovans?

They are named after the Denisova Cave in Russia where the first fossils were found. The age range of about 500,000 to 30,000 years ago given for this species is based on dating of the few fossils that exist and inferences made from genetic studies and sediment analysis.

What is the genus and species of the Denisovans?

The Denisovans or Denisova hominins ( /dɪˈniːsəvə/ di-NEE-sə-və) are an extinct group of archaic humans in the genus Homo. Pending its taxonomic status, it currently carries temporary species or subspecies names Homo denisova, Homo altaiensis, Homo sapiens denisova or as a separate species or subspecies without a defined taxonomic name.

Did Homo sapiens interbreed with the Denisovans?

Our species, Homo sapiens, may even have been interbreeding with Denisovans as recently as 15,000-30,000 years ago, according to a detailed analysis of the DNA of people living in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea published in 2019. If these dates are correct, the Denisovans are the most recently lived human species apart from our own.

What did the Denisovans contribute to Australia?

Denisovans contributed genes to present-day Melanesians and Indigenous Australians, so must have been present in an area where they could interact with the ancestors of these people as they migrated across southern Asia. While placed in the genus Homo, the Denisovans still have no agreed taxonomic name.