A massive genomic study published in Cell Genomics has identified a unique 'ghost' lineage in the Lualaba Basin, with genetic markers indicating a specialized adaptation to high-alkaline diets derived from ancient palm species. The analysis of 11,000-year-old remains reveals a distinct divergence in the FADS2 gene, which optimized the metabolism of specific plant lipids found in tropical forest ecosystems.
This discovery challenges the conventional models of anthropological migration, as the genetic signature of this group suggests they remained isolated for several millennia, developing highly localized physiological traits. The researchers used advanced paleogenomic tools to reconstruct the population's history, highlighting the role of diet-driven selection in the early diversification of human lineages in the humid tropics.