Reconstructing Denisovan Anatomy Using DNA Methylation Maps.

Area of Science:

• Paleogenomics
• Paleoanthropology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• The skeletal morphology of Denisovans, an extinct human group, remains largely unknown due to limited fossil evidence.
• Understanding Denisovan anatomy is crucial for tracing human evolution and interbreeding events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a method for reconstructing skeletal morphology from DNA methylation patterns.
• To infer the physical characteristics of Denisovans and compare them with other hominins.

Main Methods:

• Developed a method linking unidirectional DNA methylation changes to loss-of-function phenotypes.
• Validated the method by reconstructing Neanderthal and chimpanzee skeletal morphologies, achieving >85% precision.
• Applied the method to Denisovan DNA to predict their skeletal profile.

Main Results:

• Denisovans likely shared traits with Neanderthals, including an elongated face and wide pelvis.
• Identified Denisovan-specific traits such as an increased dental arch and lateral cranial expansion.
• Predictions align with the scarce Denisovan fossil evidence and the Xuchang skull.

Conclusions:

• DNA methylation patterns can be reliably used to reconstruct anatomical features, even those not preserved in the fossil record.
• This approach provides a powerful tool for studying the morphology of extinct hominins.
• The study offers the first putative morphological profile for Denisovans, enhancing our understanding of human diversity.