[aruanan]

Regarding the chromosomes, currently the male Y chromosome is gradually diminishing and may some day disappear.

Pardon my ignorance but do not all sexually reproducing animals have a Y chromosome? Do you have some reference for the assertion that the human male Y chromosome is "gradually diminishing"?

Because they see the size of the X compared to the Y and assume the difference is because the Y is "gradually diminishing." It may be just a matter or shrinkage, a la George Costanza.

[gleeaikin]

About a year ago I attended a fascinating lecture at the Carnegie Institution in DC. The presenter spoke of the shrinking X chromosome, and then described a fascinating level of complexity with another species that, if I remember correctly, had several X, one X or no X but behaved as a male. It was very puzzling. I think it might have been naked mole rats, but I have to go to work soon, so maybe you would want to Google that.

[toast]

He was in the pool!