Topic: Bone Yields Hints of Unknown Archaic Humans

[knightstorm]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/25/science/25human.html

[Sirgod]

Very cool article, but I have  a question about this part...

If the nuclear DNA of the Denisova child should differ as much as its mitochondrial DNA does from that of Neanderthals and modern humans, the case for declaring it a new species would be strengthened. But it would be unusual, if not unprecedented, for a new species to be recognized on the basis of DNA alone. 

Has there ever been a new species declared based on DNA at all , like ever? I really don't know.

Stephen

[knightstorm]

I remember reading about some finds where they were unsure whether to classify it as a subspecies of another recognized species or a new species.  DNA tests were the deciding factor.

[Sirgod]

Interesting. I think New posted awhile back some magazine archives that where available to the public now via Google, I might have to do some digging around.

Stephen