A recent study from researchers sheds light on the mating habits between Neanderthals and modern humans, tracing back to the times when both species diverged roughly 600,000 years ago. Since the initial decoding of genomes from both groups over 20 years ago, scientists have noted specific areas in modern human genomes where Neanderthal genes are scarce, dubbed 'Neanderthal deserts'. Surprisingly, while most non-African populations carry about 2% of Neanderthal DNA, the remaining traces appear unevenly, particularly in the X chromosome where it is notably underrepresented.

The analysis indicates that modern humans and Neanderthals interbred multiple times, contributing to the genetic diversity observed today. The study points out an intriguing discrepancy: genes inherited from Neanderthals appear in abundance on various chromosomes but are sparse on the X chromosome. This chromosome, known for its critical role in sex determination, has regions where no living humans possess Neanderthal ancestry, which raises questions about the evolutionary pressures that may have shaped these patterns.

These findings not only deepen our understanding of human evolution but also challenge previous assumptions regarding the complexities of genetic inheritance involving our closest extinct relatives. As researchers continue to investigate these 'desert' regions, they gain richer insights into how ancient human populations adapted and thrived during the periods of contact with Neanderthals, ultimately contributing to the genetic tapestry seen in contemporary humans.