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Researchers Identify Traces of Two ‘Ghost’ Ancestors in Modern Human DNA
TRACE analyzed more than 500 modern genomes and found one lineage that contributed 0.5% to 1% of DNA and another super-archaic ancestor.
- Researchers developed a computer-based method called TRACE, published in the journal Science, to identify two previously unknown human ancestral lineages by analyzing modern DNA.
- Scientists previously identified interbreeding with Neanderthals and Denisovans, but other lineages remained genetic "ghosts" without fossil DNA proof; TRACE now works backward from living DNA to identify these elusive ancestors.
- One lineage interbred directly with Homo sapiens in Africa more than 50,000 years ago, while a "super-archaic" ancestor split roughly 1.8 million years ago and interbred with Denisovans in Eurasia.
- "These genealogies really allow us to look into the past," said Priya Moorjani, an associate professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Co-first author Arjun Biddanda of Johns Hopkins University noted the findings reveal genetic contributions from lineages over a million years old.
- While researchers agree ancient fossil DNA remains the gold standard for evidence, TRACE currently offers the best window into these long-lost populations. Paleoanthropologist John Hawks of the University of Wisconsin-Madison noted these deep ancestral lineages contribute rare differences to modern genomes.
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By Taylor Nicioli, CNN The DNA clues could help solve the mystery of human ancestors absent from the fossil record, but present in the genes of people living today.Years ago, scientists found evidence that our species, Homo sapiens, had crossed into extinct human relatives, including The Post One study suggests that modern humans retain DNA from an ancient “phantom lynx” appeared first on KVIA.
·Panama City, United States
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Scientists found traces of two unknown ancient human lineages hiding in modern DNA; one split from our ancestors about 800,000 years ago, another around 1.8 million years ago
Science News: Modern humans already carry small amounts of Neanderthal and Denisovan DNA, evidence that our ancestors interbred with other human groups tens of thou.
·India
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