does anyone know the Denisova and Neanderthal genetic distance off-hand?
According to Hawks interpretation of the data, the genetic distance seems to be more fluid and difficult to define than previously thought. It seems to me that the genetic relationship between Neanderthals, Denisova, and modern humans is really more of a continuum than something that should be thought of as genetically isolated species. Not sure if that gets at your question.
That what i thought hoping for a number though. The denisova sample is quite small Two teeth and a toe bone? found in context the Neanderthals. it is all semantics but I think it would be easier to think of the denisova as a kind of Neanderthal. (it simplifies the the narrative but robs some glory from Pääbo. (how does one pronounce double umlaut "a"s?))