Neanderthals were apparently not a subspecies of humans but a separate species of their own and their noses were a telltale sign, according to a new study.

According to a study by the SUNY Downstate Medical Center, scientists looking at the entire nasal complex of Neanderthals concluded this structure was different from those of modern humans.

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The study findings also suggest past studies comparing Neanderthal noses with those of modern Europeans and the Inuit were incorrect. New evidence seems to indicate the Neanderthals' upper respiratory tract and overall body plan evolved separately from modern humans. This leads to a conclusion Neanderthals were a completely different species.

According to lead researcher Jeffrey Laitman, this new research intensively details the totality of the Neanderthal nasal complex as opposed to just looking at a single feature. By examining a morphological pattern, scientists concluded that Neanderthals are ancient relatives but are a different species of their own.

Neanderthals also show a unique set of features not manifested among Homo sapiens. The research team used advanced techniques to analyze the nasal region of diverse human populations groups along with some fossil evidence of the extinct Neanderthals.

The external nasal aperture found in Neanderthals is similar to some modern humans but their midfacial prognathism or the protruding of the midface is dramatically different. This major difference along with other features suggests Neanderthals evolved differently and separately from humans.

Researchers hope these findings will shed new light on Neanderthals as a separate species, but one still pivotal to human evolution. These findings were published in the journal, The Anatomical Record.

TagsNeanderthals are Apparently Not a Human Sub-Species But a Separate Species, neanderthals, Human evolution, neanderthals separate species not human subspecies