The role of Denisovan paleohabitats in shaping modern human genetic resistance to viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections

Dados Bibliográficos

ID5197902
AutoresAttila J Trájer (0000-0003-3248-6474, University of Pannonia, autor correspondente)
Ano2025
Volume207
Páginas103746
Data de publicação2025-10-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Human Evolution (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0047-2484 • E-ISSN: 1095-8606
EditoraElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.jhevol.2025.103746
PMID40925053
OpenAlexW4414080649
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas120

Denisovans contributed notably to the genomes of present-day East and Southeast Asians. However, the relationship between the inhabited paleohabitats and the adaptive genetic traits related to infections in modern humans remains underexplored. This study uses geospatial techniques to analyze climatic factors associated with three Denisovan archaeological sites linked to nine specimens. Additionally, past and present climates and biomes, as well as the geographic distributions of eight infectious agents and disease vector groups, were modeled and compared with the modern genetic heritage of Denisovans. Findings reveal that the identified Denisovans inhabited subarctic and monsoon-influenced temperate climates, occupying boreal and seasonal forest biomes in the three studied archaeological sites. Sites such as Denisova Cave and Baishiya Karst Cave exhibited low climatic suitability for Ascaris lumbricoides , visceral leishmaniasis, and Nipah virus. Plasmodium vivax– and Aedes albopictus– like vectors plausibly were also not present. Conversely, Denisova Cave and Baishiya Karst Cave exhibit high climatic suitability for Ixodes persulcatus and Lyme borreliosis when Denisovans inhabited these sites. The paleoenvironment of the Laotian Cobra Cave site—with the exception of Nipah henipavirus—was suitable for all modeled pathogens and vectors. From the studied vectors and diseases, I. persulcatus and Lyme borreliosis are missing from Melanesia, where the region’s humans have the highest Denisovan legacy. This suggests that Denisovans from humid continental climates, such as those near Cobra Cave, may have contributed alleles providing adaptive advantages against ascariasis and mosquito-borne diseases in environments where modern human populations with high Denisovan genetic legacy reside. • Denisovans inhabited subarctic and temperate monsoon climates in forest biomes. • Climatic suitability for pathogens varied across Denisovan archaeological sites. • Denisova Cave showed low suitability for ascariasis, visceral leishmaniasis, and Nipah. • Cobra Cave’s environment was suitable for most modeled pathogens and disease vectors. • Adaptive alleles against ascariasis and mosquito-borne diseases likely aided survival

Cave · Hominidae · Homo erectus · Karst · Neanderthal · Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research · Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research · Zoonotic diseases and public health