Unraveling Human History through Lice DNA

Head lice, considered a nuisance, have been living on human heads for centuries and have recorded our history in their DNA. A recent study suggests that the DNA of head lice reflects the massive human migrations that led to the colonization of the Americas. The research found evidence of two distinct genetic clusters in lice, indicating that they arrived in the Americas twice: first with Native Americans thousands of years ago, and then with Europeans during colonization. The study highlights the potential of lice DNA to provide insights into human history and interactions with other hominid species.