'Who’s in your bloodline?': Scientists uncover DNA from a mysterious extinct species in humans
Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Mysterious Legacy
A mysterious extinct species, the Denisovans, seeded their genes in modern humans, leaving enigmatic traces that still influence our biology today.
Forgotten Cousins
While Neanderthals often steal the spotlight, Denisovans—another close relative—played a pivotal role in shaping humanity, according to Trinity College researchers Linda Ongaro and Emilia Huerta-Sanchez.
Generational Gifts
Denisovan genes didn’t just vanish; they provided us with lasting advantages, influencing traits like immunity, resilience, and adaptation to harsh environments.
Complex Ancestry
“Humans didn’t evolve neatly from a single line,” explains Ongaro. Interbreeding with Denisovans and other hominins was critical in shaping the people we are today.
Sparse Remains
Compared to Neanderthals, Denisovan evidence is scarce, limited to a handful of bones. In 2010, a Denisovan finger bone hinted at a previously unknown branch of humanity.
Expansive Legacy
Denisovan genes spread from Siberia to Oceania, influencing populations across Asia and Oceania, leaving a wide-reaching legacy that endures today.
Three Key Encounters
Modern genomes reveal Denisovan DNA entered human genes on at least three occasions, adapting us to diverse environments across Asia, Oceania, and beyond.
Survival Traits
Denisovan DNA aids survival in extreme conditions—Tibetans withstand high altitudes, Papuans strengthen immunity, and Inuit populations endure cold thanks to these ancient genes.
Mystery Unfolding
“There’s so much more to learn about the Denisovans’ impact,” says Ongaro. Her study in Nature Genetics calls for deeper exploration, especially in understudied populations, to uncover hidden traces of Denisovan ancestry.