Modern human and archaic Neanderthal skulls side by side, showing difference in nasal height. Credit: Kaustubh Adhikari, UCL
Key points:
- Humans inherited genetic material from Neanderthals that affects the shape of our noses.
- It comes down to natural selection, as noses play a distinct role in adapting to climate.
- The study weas very diverse, using data from over 6,000 people across Latin America, of mixed European, Native American and African ancestry.
A new study finds that a particular gene, which leads to a taller nose (from top to bottom), may have been the product of natural selection as ancient humans adapted to colder climates after leaving Africa.
The study, by researchers at University College Longo, used data from more than 6,000 volunteers across Latin America, of mixed European, Native American and African ancestry.
The team compared genetic information from the participants to photographs of their faces—specifically looking at distances between points on their faces, such as the tip of the nose or the edge of the lips—to see how different facial traits were associated with the presence of different genetic markers.
According to the study results, the team identified 33 new genome regions associated with face shape, 26 of which they were able to replicate in comparisons with data from other ethnicities using participants in east Asia, Europe, or Africa.
In one genome region in particular, called ATF3, the researchers found that many people in their study with Native American ancestry had genetic material inherited from the Neanderthals, contributing to increased nasal height. They also found that this gene region has signs of natural selection, suggesting that it conferred an advantage for those carrying the genetic material.
“It has long been speculated that the shape of our noses is determined by natural selection, as our noses can help us to regulate the temperature and humidity of the air we breathe in,” said first author Qing Li at Fudan University. “The gene we have identified here may have been inherited from Neanderthals to help humans adapt to colder climates as our ancestors moved out of Africa.”
In 2021, the same team used DNA from archaic humans, distinct from Homo sapiens, to show a gene influencing lip shape was inherited from the ancient Denisovans.