Insights into human evolution from ancient and contemporary microbiome studies.

Area of Science:

• Human evolutionary biology
• Microbiome research
• Holobiont studies

Background:

• The human microbiome significantly impacts human biology, affecting digestion, immunity, and disease.
• Understanding the microbiome's evolution is crucial for comprehending human biology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent findings on human and non-human primate microbiota.
• To explore the evolutionary ecology of the human microbiome.
• To deepen the understanding of the human holobiont.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of microbiome studies.
• Comparative analysis of microbiota from diverse human populations.
• Examination of non-human primate and ancient human microbiota.

Main Results:

• Human microbiome research has fundamentally changed the study of human evolution.
• The microbiome performs vital functions in digestion, immunity, development, and disease.
• Microbiota composition varies across different human populations and non-human primates.

Conclusions:

• Investigating the microbiome's evolutionary trajectory is essential.
• Understanding the microbiome provides critical insights into the human holobiont.
• This research highlights the interconnectedness of humans and their microbes throughout evolution.