Rise of the Omnivorous Ancestor: The Resurrection of a Common Ancestor
The question of how early human ancestors became omnivores has long been debated. Scientists now believe that the answer lies in the resurrection of an ancestral gene. A new study published in the journal Nature has uncovered a gene that was present in the last common ancestor of humans and other primates, which could explain the evolution of omnivorous behavior in our species. The gene, called ‘GDF15’, is believed to be responsible for the development of taste buds that detect both sweet and savory flavors. This discovery provides insight into how our ancestors developed the ability to eat a wide range of food, leading to the survival of our species.
source: Phys.org