During the comparison of blood groups of Denisovans and three Neanderthals, scientists from the National Center
of scientific research and the University of Aix-Marseille received new keys to solving the history of evolution, health and vulnerability of these populations, writes Success in UA.
As you know, Neanderthals and Denisovans were ancient people who lived in the period from approximately 300 thousand years to 40 thousand years ago in the territory of all of Eurasia.
Previous research has allowed scientists to obtain full-genome DNA sequences of 15 of these ancient people, which has greatly improved the understanding of their species. However, little attention was paid to the blood types of these ancient people before this study.
In a new study, scientists examined the previously sequenced genomes of one Denisovan and three Neanderthals, who lived between 100 and 000 years ago, to determine their blood types and analyze the implications.
Although there are 43 different systems for determining blood types, researchers have focused on seven systems that are currently most commonly used in medical institutions for blood transfusions, reports ukr.media.
This allowed scientists to get new information about these species. In particular, ancient humans were found to have blood type alleles—different versions of the same gene—in combinations consistent with the idea that Neanderthals and Denisovans came from Africa.
In addition, the clear genetic relationship between Neanderthal blood groups and the blood groups of Aboriginal Australians and Indigenous Papuans suggests the possibility of interbreeding between Neanderthals and modern humans long before modern humans migrated into Southeast Asia.
Neanderthals also had blood group alleles associated with increased susceptibility to disease affecting fetuses and newborns, as well as reduced variability of many alleles compared to modern humans.
This pattern is consistent with existing evidence linking low genetic diversity and low reproductive success as a possible cause of Neanderthal extinction.
In general, as the scientists note, the obtained results emphasize the importance of blood groups for understanding the evolutionary history of man.