When We Met Other Human Species
PBS Eons・2 minutes read
Various hominin species like Neanderthals and Denisovans once coexisted with modern humans, leading to interbreeding events and genetic legacies influencing modern human traits. Factors like climate change, competition, and potential inbreeding contributed to the disappearance of Neanderthals and Denisovans, while their genetic contributions continue to shape modern human populations.
Insights
- Modern humans of European and East Asian descent carry 1 to 2% Neanderthal DNA, while Sub-Saharan Africans lack Neanderthal DNA, showcasing distinct genetic legacies based on geographical ancestry.
- Interbreeding events between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens occurred multiple times around 50,000 to 60,000 years ago, contributing genes that influence modern human traits like immune response and skin-cell repair, enhancing adaptability and survival.
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What hominin species interbred with modern humans?
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