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Molecular analysis of Neanderthal DNA from the northern Caucasus

Author

Listed:
  • Igor V. Ovchinnikov

    (Human Identification Centre, University of Glasgow
    Institute of Gerontology
    Columbia University)

  • Anders Götherström

    (Archaeological Research Laboratory, Stockholm University)

  • Galina P. Romanova

    (Institute of Archaeology)

  • Vitaliy M. Kharitonov

    (Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Moscow State University)

  • Kerstin Lidén

    (Archaeological Research Laboratory, Stockholm University)

  • William Goodwin

    (Human Identification Centre, University of Glasgow)

Abstract

The expansion of premodern humans into western and eastern Europe ∼40,000 years before the present led to the eventual replacement of the Neanderthals by modern humans ∼28,000 years ago1. Here we report the second mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis of a Neanderthal, and the first such analysis on clearly dated Neanderthal remains. The specimen is from one of the eastern-most Neanderthal populations, recovered from Mezmaiskaya Cave in the northern Caucasus2. Radiocarbon dating estimated the specimen to be ∼29,000 years old and therefore from one of the latest living Neanderthals3. The sequence shows 3.48% divergence from the Feldhofer Neanderthal4. Phylogenetic analysis places the two Neanderthals from the Caucasus and western Germany together in a clade that is distinct from modern humans, suggesting that their mtDNA types have not contributed to the modern human mtDNA pool. Comparison with modern populations provides no evidence for the multiregional hypothesis of modern human evolution.

Suggested Citation

  • Igor V. Ovchinnikov & Anders Götherström & Galina P. Romanova & Vitaliy M. Kharitonov & Kerstin Lidén & William Goodwin, 2000. "Molecular analysis of Neanderthal DNA from the northern Caucasus," Nature, Nature, vol. 404(6777), pages 490-493, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:404:y:2000:i:6777:d:10.1038_35006625
    DOI: 10.1038/35006625
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    Cited by:

    1. Cyran, Krzysztof A. & Kimmel, Marek, 2010. "Alternatives to the Wright–Fisher model: The robustness of mitochondrial Eve dating," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 78(3), pages 165-172.
    2. Pham, Tuan D., 2012. "Regularity dimension of sequences and its application to phylogenetic tree reconstruction," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 45(6), pages 879-887.
    3. Ian J. Wilson & Michael E. Weale & David J. Balding, 2003. "Inferences from DNA data: population histories, evolutionary processes and forensic match probabilities," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 166(2), pages 155-188, June.

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