ScienceSeptember 1, 2026

coalescence

koh-uh-LESS-ens

Definition

The process by which distinct genetic lineages merge or converge backward in time to reach a single common ancestor.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'coalescere,' meaning to grow together, combining 'co-' (together) and 'alescere' (to grow up or nourish).

In the news

The researchers used coalescence to estimate that the unknown archaic population diverged from our ancestors approximately 830,000 years ago.

An unknown human lineage interbred with our ancestors in Africa more than 50,000 years ago — and although scientists still don't know who these humans were, traces of their DNA survive in every modern population studied.

Read the full article ↗

ScienceBlog.com

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