The study states that Denisovans could have had some interaction with Homo Erectus, where a new hybrid species was born – although under current time frames there existence would be relatively short-lived.
Maria Martinon-Torres, one of the co-authors of the study, said: “More genetic and fossil discoveries would be necessary to evaluate the taxonomy of the non-erectus populations of the Middle Pleistocene, such as the Tongzi hominids, which could be good candidates for the Denisovan ancestry.”