Scientists grapple with the question of Neanderthal extinction contrasting with human survival. Speculation about ancient viral infections, similar to those plaguing humans now, potentially affecting Neanderthals has gained some ground. Newly uncovered evidence within 50,000-year-old Neanderthal bones from Russia’s Chagyrskaya cave bolsters this idea.
This belief, initially suggested in 2010, hinges on the premise that our extinct human relatives could have contracted early versions of viruses still affecting humans. Current understanding is based on genetic evidence of early human infections that may have been brought from Africa and transmitted to Neanderthals.
Simulations via mathematical models have been used to replicate disease spread between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals (H. neanderthalensis) accounting for their different immunity. However, direct proof has been elusive due to the degradation of ancient DNA over millennia.
Marcelo Briones, a molecular biologist, and his team including Renata Ferreira, an evolutionary geneticist, have conducted genomic analysis of two Neanderthal males and have discovered fragments resembling viral DNA. Traditionally troublesome to sequence, these fragments from viruses like the adenovirus, herpesvirus, and papillomavirus have been found within the Neanderthal genetic material.
It is unknown how these viruses affected Neanderthals, as they typically cause lingering infections in modern humans. The study’s findings, although preliminary, offer hope for discovering viral DNA remnants in ancient hominins. Prior to this, the oldest virus discovered was a 31,000-year-old herpesvirus in human teeth from Siberia.
The research is yet to be peer-reviewed, and the findings are considered initial indications of ancient viral DNA presence. The causes of Neanderthal extinction are hotly debated, with environmental changes and outcompetition by humans among the proposed reasons. The Neanderthal population itself could have dwindled naturally, or the diverse genetic pool of larger human groups could have given our ancestors a survival advantage.
Ferreira and colleagues acknowledge that likely multiple factors led to the Neanderthal disappearance. Their study awaits scientific review and has been published on the bioRxiv preprint server.
FAQs About the Oldest Viral DNA Found in Neanderthal Bones
- What kinds of viruses were found in the Neanderthal bones?
– Scientists found snippets of DNA from adenoviruses, herpesviruses, and papillomaviruses. - How do researchers determine if viral DNA is present in ancient remains?
– They examine the ancient genome for sequences that match known viruses, although this is challenging due to DNA degradation over time. - What does this discovery suggest about Neanderthal extinction?
– While not conclusive, the presence of viral DNA hints at the possibility that diseases could have played a role in their demise. More research is necessary to understand the full impact. - Has this study been peer-reviewed?
– No, the findings are preliminary and have been posted to the bioRxiv preprint server awaiting peer review.
– It’s unclear how these viruses affected Neanderthals or if they caused illnesses as they do in humans today.
Conclusion
The recent discovery of ancient viral DNA in 50,000-year-old Neanderthal bones provides tantalizing clues about the possible health challenges our extinct relatives faced. While these findings do not offer definitive evidence for the cause of Neanderthal extinction, they increase the plausibility of diseases playing a role. As scientists advance our understanding of ancient DNA, we may further uncover the mysteries surrounding the lives and eventual disappearance of Neanderthals.