A male Denisovan mandible from Pleistocene Taiwan
Journal
Science
Journal Volume
388
Journal Issue
6743
Start Page
176
End Page
180
ISSN
0036-8075
1095-9203
Date Issued
2025-04-10
Author(s)
Takumi Tsutaya
Rikai Sawafuji
Alberto J. Taurozzi
Zandra Fagernäs
Ioannis Patramanis
Gaudry Troché
Meaghan Mackie
Takashi Gakuhari
Hiroki Oota
Jesper V. Olsen
Yousuke Kaifu
Chun-Hsiang Chang
Enrico Cappellini
Frido Welker
Abstract
Denisovans are an extinct hominin group defined by ancient genomes of Middle to Late Pleistocene fossils from southern Siberia. Although genomic evidence suggests their widespread distribution throughout eastern Asia and possibly Oceania, so far only a few fossils from the Altai and Tibet are confidently identified molecularly as Denisovan. We identified a hominin mandible (Penghu 1) from Taiwan (10,000 to 70,000 years ago or 130,000 to 190,000 years ago) as belonging to a male Denisovan by applying ancient protein analysis. We retrieved 4241 amino acid residues and identified two Denisovan-specific variants. The increased fossil sample of Denisovans demonstrates their wider distribution, including warm and humid regions, as well as their shared distinct robust dentognathic traits that markedly contrast with their sister group, Neanderthals.
SDGs
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Type
journal article