One hominin taxon or two at Malapa Cave? Implications for the origins of Homo

A report on the skeletons of two individuals from the Malapa cave site in South Africa attributes them both to a new hominin species, Australopithecus sediba. However, our analysis of the specimens’ mandibles indicates that  Australopithecus sediba is not a ‘Homo-like australopith’, a transitional species between Australopithecus africanus and Homo. According to our results, the specimens represent two separate genera:  Australopithecus and Homo. These genera are known to have jointly occupied sites, as seen in several early South African caves, so one cannot rule out the possibility that Malapa also contains remains of the two taxa. Our results lead us to additionally conclude that all the Australopithecus species on which the relevant mandibular anatomy is preserved (not only the ‘robust’ australopiths but also the ‘gracile’ – more generalised – ones) are too specialised to constitute an evolutionary ancestor of Homo sapiens. Furthermore, given that the Malapa site contains representatives of two hominin branches, one of which appears to be Homo, we must seek evidence of our origins much earlier than the date assigned to Malapa, approximately 2 million years before present. Support for this claim can be found in Ethiopian fossils attributed to the genus Homo and dated at 2.4 and 2.8 million years before present.Significance: The proposed hominin species Australopithecus sediba, from the Malapa Cave in South Africa, seems to actually consist of two species, each of which represents a different hominin genus: Homo and  Australopithecus. If, indeed, this is the case, Homo must have originated prior to the Malapa remains, contrary to the scenario suggested in the original report on Au. sediba

The Neandertal nature of the Atapuerca Sima de los Huesos mandibles

The recovery of additional mandibular fossils from the Atapuerca Sima de los Huesos (SH) site provides new insights into the evolutionary significance of this sample. In particular, morphological descriptions of the new adult specimens are provided, along with standardized metric data and phylogenetically relevant morphological features for the expanded adult sample. The new and more complete specimens extend the known range of variation in the Atapuerca (SH) mandibles in some metric and morphological details. In other aspects, the addition of new specimens has made it possible to confirm previous observations based on more limited evidence. Pairwise comparisons of individual metric variables revealed the only significant difference between the Atapuerca (SH) hominins and Neandertals was a more vertical symphysis in the latter. Similarly, principal components analysis of size-adjusted variables showed a strong similarity between the Atapuerca (SH) hominins and Neandertals. Morphologically, the Atapuerca (SH) mandibles show nearly the full complement of Neandertal-derived features. Nevertheless, the Neandertals differ from the Atapuerca (SH) mandibles in showing a high frequency of the H/O mandibular foramen, a truncated, thinned and inverted gonial margin, a high placement of the mylohyoid line at the level of the M3, a more vertical symphysis and somewhat more pronounced expression of the chin structures. Size-related morphological variation in the SH hominins includes larger retromolar spaces, more posterior placement of the lateral corpus structures, and stronger markings associated with the muscles of mastication in larger specimens. However, phylogenetically relevant features in the SH sample are fairly stable and do not vary with the overall size of the mandible. Direct comparison of the enlarged mandibular sample from Atapuerca (SH) with the Mauer mandible, the type specimen of H. heidelbergensis, reveals important differences from the SH hominins, and there is no morphological counterpart of Mauer within the SH sample, suggesting the SH fossils should not be assigned to this taxon. The Atapuerca (SH) mandibles show a greater number of derived Neandertal features, particularly those related to midfacial prognathism and in the configuration of the superior ramus, than other European middle Pleistocene specimens. This suggests that more than one evolutionary lineage co-existed in the middle Pleistocene, and, broadly speaking, it appears possible to separate the European middle Pleistocene mandibular remains into two distinct groupings. One group shows a suite of derived Neandertal features and includes specimens from the sites of Atapuerca (SH), Payre, l'Aubesier and Ehringsdorf. The other group includes specimens that generally lack derived Neandertal features and includes the mandibles from the sites of Mauer, Mala Balanica, Montmaurin and (probably) Visogliano. The two published Arago mandibles differ strongly from one another, with Arago 2 probably belonging to this former group, and Neandertal affinities being more difficult to identify in Arago 13. Outside of the SH sample, derived Neandertal features in the mandible only become more common during the second half of the middle Pleistocene. Acceptance of a cladogenetic pattern of evolution during the European middle Pleistocene has the potential to reconcile the predictions of the accretion model and the two phases model for the appearance of Neandertal morphology. The precise taxonomic classification of the SH hominins must contemplate features from the dentition, cranium, mandible and postcranial skeleton, all of which are preserved at the SH site. Nevertheless, the origin of the Neandertal clade may be tied to a speciation event reflected in the appearance of a suite of derived Neandertal features in the face, dentition and mandible, all of which are present in the Atapuerca (SH) hominins. This same suite of features also provides a useful anatomical basis to include other European middle Pleistocene mandibles and crania within the Neandertal clade.Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEBinghamton UniversityMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovación y UniversidadesJunta de Castilla y Leónpu

The first Neanderthal remains from an open-air Middle Palaeolithic site in the Levant

The late Middle Palaeolithic (MP) settlement patterns in the Levant included the repeated use of caves and open landscape sites. The fossil record shows that two types of hominins occupied the region during this period - Neandertals and Homo sapiens. Until recently, diagnostic fossil remains were found only at cave sites. Because the two populations in this region left similar material cultural remains, it was impossible to attribute any open-air site to either species. In this study, we present newly discovered fossil remains from intact archaeological layers of the open-air site 'Ein Qashish, in northern Israel. The hominin remains represent three individuals: EQH1, a nondiagnostic skull fragment; EQH2, an upper right third molar (RM3); and EQH3, lower limb bones of a young Neandertal male. EQH2 and EQH3 constitute the first diagnostic anatomical remains of Neandertals at an open-air site in the Levant. The optically stimulated luminescence ages suggest that Neandertals repeatedly visited 'Ein Qashish between 70 and 60 ka. The discovery of Neandertals at open-air sites during the late MP reinforces the view that Neandertals were a resilient population in the Levant shortly before Upper Palaeolithic Homo sapiens populated the region

Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles (MISEV2023): From basic to advanced approaches

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), through their complex cargo, can reflect the state of their cell of origin and change the functions and phenotypes of other cells. These features indicate strong biomarker and therapeutic potential and have generated broad interest, as evidenced by the steady year-on-year increase in the numbers of scientific publications about EVs. Important advances have been made in EV metrology and in understanding and applying EV biology. However, hurdles remain to realising the potential of EVs in domains ranging from basic biology to clinical applications due to challenges in EV nomenclature, separation from non-vesicular extracellular particles, characterisation and functional studies. To address the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field, the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) updates its 'Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles', which was first published in 2014 and then in 2018 as MISEV2014 and MISEV2018, respectively. The goal of the current document, MISEV2023, is to provide researchers with an updated snapshot of available approaches and their advantages and limitations for production, separation and characterisation of EVs from multiple sources, including cell culture, body fluids and solid tissues. In addition to presenting the latest state of the art in basic principles of EV research, this document also covers advanced techniques and approaches that are currently expanding the boundaries of the field. MISEV2023 also includes new sections on EV release and uptake and a brief discussion of in vivo approaches to study EVs. Compiling feedback from ISEV expert task forces and more than 1000 researchers, this document conveys the current state of EV research to facilitate robust scientific discoveries and move the field forward even more rapidly

Restes squelettiques de juifs des périodes hellénistique, romaine et byzantine, en Israël. I- Analyse métrique. (en anglais)

Detailed metric observations are presented on some 149 crania of Jews from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods in Israel. The dating and « Jewish- ness » of the remains were established by the associated archaeological evidence. Some of the major results were : Hellenistic period, mean stature, based on maximum length of femur, (51 1.659 mm., 91.510 mm. Indices, cranial, (5*78,2, 9 80,2; ht.-length, (5*72,8, 9 74,5 ; upper face, tf 53,2, 9 52,9 ; nasal, tf 50,1, 9 49,5. Roman period, indices, cranial, (5*79,3, 9 82,1; ht.-length, (5*73,6, 9 74,9; upper face, (5*52,0, 9 53,4; nasal, (5* 47,2, 9 48,0. Byzantine period, indices, cranial, $81,0, 9 79,4 ; ht.-length, tf 73,8, 9 73,0; upper face, (5*51,4, 9 52,9; nasal, (5*46,3, 9 49,5. The differences between the means of the three periods were statistically significant in a few instances only. Size and shape distances of these and other groups, based on the method of Penrose, suggest an essential metric morphological similarity among the Jewish groups here considered, a similarity apparently extending to crania of Jews from 17th century Prague. Published anthropométrie data on Jewish remains from outside Israel are briefly reviewed.Les observations métriques détaillées sont présentées sur 149 crânes de Juifs issus des périodes hellénistique, romaine et byzantine d'Israël. La datation et l'appartenance (juive) des restes ont été établies par des procédés archéologiques associés. Parmi les principaux résultats, citons : pour la période hellénistique : stature moyenne, basée sur la longueur maximale du fémur tf 1.659 mm, Ç1.510mm, indices: crânien (5*78,2, 9 80,2 ; ht-longueur <5* 72,8, 9 74,5 : facial supérieur tf 53,2, 9 52,9 ; nasal$ 50,1, 9 49,5. Pour la période romaine, indices : crânien (5* 79,3, 9 82,1 ; ht-longueur (5* 73,6, 9 74,9 ; facial supérieur $ 52,0, 9 53,4 ; nasal <5* 47,2, 9 48,0. Pour la période byzantine, indices: crânien, ^ 81,0, 9 79,4; ht-longueur (5*73,8, 9 73,0; facial supérieur <5*51,4, 9 52,9 ; nasal (5* 46,3, 9 49,5. Les différences entre les moyennes des trois périodes sont statistiquement significatives dans quelques cas seulement. Leurs distances (« taille et forme ») par rapport à d'autres groupes, basées sur la méthode de Penrose, suggèrent une similitude morphologique métrique essentielle parmi les groupes juifs ici considérés, similitude qui peut être apparemment étendue aux crânes de Juifs de Prague du XVIIme siècle. Les données anthropométriques publiées sur les restes juifs non israéliens sont brièvement rappelées.Arensburg B., Goldstein M.S., Nathan H., Rak Y. Restes squelettiques de juifs des périodes hellénistique, romaine et byzantine, en Israël. I- Analyse métrique. (en anglais). In: Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d'anthropologie de Paris, XIII° Série. Tome 7 fascicule 3, 1980. pp. 175-186

Hominid Remains from Amud Cave in the Context of the Levantine Middle Paleolithic

The evolutionary and behavioral implications of the hominid remains from the old and new. Amud Cave excavations are discussed in this paper and viewed against the archaeological record of the Levantine Middle Paleolithic. On the biological level, the finds from Amud support the view that Neanderthals were a different species from Homo sapiens. While it is fully acknowledged that behavioral differences can not support or refute the claims for taxonomie differentiation, the analysis of mortuary practices indicates that both strong similarity and subtle differences between Neanderthals and АМН occur in this realm of symbolic behavior.Dans cet article sont analysées, d'un point de vue phylogénétique et comportemental, les découvertes anciennes et récentes d'Amud, dans le contexte du Paléolithique moyen du Levant. Du point de vue biologique, les Hominidés d'Amud s 'accordent avec l'interprétation qui fait des Néandertaliens une espèce différente des Homo sapiens. Il est bien connu que les différences comportementales ne peuvent être utilisées en taxonomie, mais les pratiques funéraires montrent à la fois d'étroites similarités et de subtiles différences entre les Néandertaliens et les hommes anatomiquement modernes pour ce domaine du comportement symbolique.Hovers Erella, Rak Yoel, Lavi Ron, Kimbel William H. Hominid Remains from Amud Cave in the Context of the Levantine Middle Paleolithic. In: Paléorient, 1995, vol. 21, n°2. pp. 47-61

Les Sépultures néanderthaliennes du Proche-Orient : état de la question

For the Middle Palaeolithic, the best proofs of symbolic activities remain the burial practices. New informations about these practices, already known for Eastern Neanderthals at Amud, Tabun and Shanidar sites, are brought with the recent burial discovered in Kebara. For the first time, a posterior human action on a primary burial can be argued. In South-East Asia, besides the Neanderthals, first anatomically modern men are recognized in two sites (Skhul and Qafzeh), also associated with a mousterian archaeological context. A preliminary appraisal of the funeral practices in the two populations provides no evidence of marked behavioural differences between them.Pour le Paléolithique moyen, les meilleurs témoignages d'activités symboliques dont nous disposons sont représentés par les inhumations. La sépulture de Kebara occupe une place originale parmi les sépultures néanderthaliennes connues jusqu'à présent au Proche-Orient (à Amud, Shanidar et Tabun). Elle représente en effet le seul témoignage d'une intervention humaine postérieure sur une sépulture primaire. Au Proche-Orient, en plus des Néanderthaliens, sont connus associés également à une industrie moustérienne, les premiers hommes anatomiquement modernes (à Skhul et Qafzeh). Pour ces deux populations, un premier bilan de la palethnologie funéraire est proposé qui ne permet pas de dégager un comportement fondamentalement différent pour l'une ou l'autre des populations.Tillier Anne-marie, Arensburg Baruch, Rak Yoel, Vandermeersch Bernard. Les Sépultures néanderthaliennes du Proche-Orient : état de la question. In: Paléorient, 1988, vol. 14, n°2. Préhistoire du Levant II. Processus des changements culturels. pp. 130-136

Mousterian and Aurignacian Human Remains from Hayonim Cave, Israel

Human remains from the Aurignacian and Mousterian levels of Hayonim cave, Western Galilee, Israel, are documented and described here. Although they are admittedly meager and fragmentary in nature, they testify to the great paleoanthropological potential of Hayonim cave.Description des restes humains découverts dans des foyers aurignaciens et moustériens de la grotte d'Hayonim, en Galilée occidentale, en Israël. Ces restes, en dépit de leur condition fragmentaire, témoignent de l'importance paléoanthropologique de ce gisement.Arensburg Baruch, Bar-Yosef Ofer, Belfer-Cohen Anna, Rak Yoel. Mousterian and Aurignacian Human Remains from Hayonim Cave, Israel. In: Paléorient, 1990, vol. 16, n°1. pp. 107-109

One hominin taxon or two at Malapa Cave? Implications for the origins of Homo

A report on the skeletons of two individuals from the Malapa cave site in South Africa attributes them both to a new hominin species, Australopithecus sediba. However, our analysis of the specimens’ mandibles indicates that Australopithecus sediba&nbsp;is not a ‘Homo-like australopith’, a transitional species between&nbsp;Australopithecus africanus&nbsp;and&nbsp;Homo. According to our results, the specimens represent two separate genera:&nbsp;Australopithecus&nbsp;and&nbsp;Homo. These genera are known to have jointly occupied sites, as seen in several early South African caves, so one cannot rule out the possibility that Malapa also contains remains of the two taxa. Our results lead us to additionally conclude that all the Australopithecus species on which the relevant mandibular anatomy is preserved (not only the ‘robust’ australopiths but also the ‘gracile’ – more generalised – ones) are too specialised to constitute an evolutionary ancestor of Homo sapiens. Furthermore, given that the Malapa site contains representatives of two hominin branches, one of which appears to be Homo, we must seek evidence of our origins much earlier than the date assigned to Malapa, approximately 2 million years before present. Support for this claim can be found in Ethiopian fossils attributed to the genus Homo&nbsp;and dated at 2.4 and 2.8 million years before present.Significance: The proposed hominin species&nbsp;Australopithecus sediba, from the Malapa Cave in South Africa, seems to actually consist of two species, each of which represents a different hominin genus: Homo&nbsp;and&nbsp;Australopithecus. If, indeed, this is the case,&nbsp;Homo must have originated prior to the Malapa remains, contrary to the scenario suggested in the original report on Au. sediba

Reconstructing denisovan anatomy using DNA methylation maps

DNA methylation maps can be used to predict anatomical features in hominins and chimpanzees, allowing for reconstruction of a putative anatomical profile of the Denisovan, currently absent from the fossil record.Denisovans are an extinct group of humans whose morphology remains unknown. Here, we present a method for reconstructing skeletal morphology using DNA methylation patterns. Our method is based on linking unidirectional methylation changes to loss-of-function phenotypes. We tested performance by reconstructing Neanderthal and chimpanzee skeletal morphologies and obtained >85% precision in identifying divergent traits. We then applied this method to the Denisovan and offer a putative morphological profile. We suggest that Denisovans likely shared with Neanderthals traits such as an elongated face and a wide pelvis. We also identify Denisovan-derived changes, such as an increased dental arch and lateral cranial expansion. Our predictions match the only morphologically informative Denisovan bone to date, as well as the Xuchang skull, which was suggested by some to be a Denisovan. We conclude that DNA methylation can be used to reconstruct anatomical features, including some that do not survive in the fossil record.This work has been supported by the National Geographic Society (grant HJ-111R-17 to L.C.). D.G. was supported by the Clore Israel Foundation. T.M.-B. is supported by BFU2017-86471-P (MINECO/FEDER, UE), U01 MH106874 grant, Howard Hughes International Early Career, Obra Social “La Caixa,” and Secretaria d’Universitats i Recerca and CERCA Programme del Departament d’Economia i Coneixement de la Generalitat de Catalunya (GRC 2017 SGR 880)