DNA analysis shakes up Neandertal theories

Binghamton.edu ^ | April 4, 2012 | Gail Glover

[SunkenCiv]

Focusing on mitochondrial DNA sequences from 13 Neandertal individuals, including a new sequence from the site of Valdegoba cave in northern Spain, the research team found some surprising results. When they started looking at the DNA, a clear pattern emerged. Neandertal individuals from Western Europe that were older than 50,000 years and individuals from sites in western Asia and the Middle East showed a high degree of genetic variation, on par with what might be expected from a species that had been abundant in an area for a long period of time. In fact, the amount of genetic variation was similar to what characterizes modern humans as a species. In contrast, Neandertal individuals from Western Europe that were younger than 50,000 years show an extremely reduced amount of genetic variation, less even than the present-day population of remote Iceland.

These results suggest that Western European Neandertals went through a demographic crisis, a population bottleneck that severely reduced their numbers, leaving Western Europe largely empty of humans for a period of time. The demographic crisis seems to coincide with a period of extreme cold in Western Europe. Subsequently, this region was repopulated by a small group of individuals from a surrounding area. The geographic origin of this source population is not clear, but it may be possible to pinpoint it further with additional study...

"This is just the latest example of how studies of ancient DNA are providing new insights into an important and previously unknown part of Neandertal history," Quam said. "Ancient DNA is complementary to anthropological studies focusing on the bony anatomy of the skeleton, and these kinds of results are only possible with ancient DNA studies. It's exciting to think about what will turn up next."

[SunkenCiv]

The writer has been trying harder, but has been really busy; less errors, but fewer time to work on spelling skills.

I’m surprised no one has commented (that I saw) about the completely correct spelling in the topic title, “Neandertal” (spelled as it’s pronounced, I guess the bullheaded incorrect limey “NeanderTHal” version is dying off).

[SunkenCiv]

:’) Thanks.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks. :’)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2869192/posts?page=21#21

[SunkenCiv]

Heh... but it looks like #6 got zapped, I never had the (whatkindof)pleasure to see it for myself, maybe it was in there. :’)

[null and void]

I guess the bullheaded incorrect limey “NeanderTHal” version is dying off).

It's German, and it is correct.

[SunkenCiv]

They were on chaise-lounges, sipping umbrella drinks, on the beach a few hundred feet below today’s sealevel. ;’)

[blueunicorn6]

My family has extremely tough skin. Geneticists have traced this to the fact that my ancestors were always thrown out on their asses by whoever came into the neighborhood. Not good fighters, but we can skid across gravel without getting hurt at all.

[Reeses]

Western European Neandertals went through a demographic crisis

World War -MCMLXXXVIII

[Verginius Rufus]

I believe we should spell "Neanderthal" the way the Neanderthalers themselves did.

When the first discovery was made on September 4, 1856, in the Neander Valley, the German spelling of "valley" was thal. Later a spelling reform changed the "th" to a "t" in that and other words, but the "Neanderthal" spelling had become well-known internationally by then.

There is an excellent recent book published by Routledge (ISBN 978-0-415-42520-9), entitled The Neanderthals, by Friedemann Schrenk and Stephanie Mu+ller (that's "u" umlaut), translated by Phyllis G. Jestice. The German version uses the spelling "Neandertal." The original was published in 2005 and the translation in 2009.

The Neander valley is named for a 17th-century theologian and hymn-writer named Joachim Neumann, who translated his name into Greek as "Neander" (from the Greek roots for "new" and "man").

[SunkenCiv]

LOL! We may be related then. ;’)

[TigersEye]

I’m surprised no one has commented (that I saw) about the completely correct spelling in the topic title, “Neandertal” (spelled as it’s pronounced, I guess the bullheaded incorrect limey “NeanderTHal” version is dying off).

I noticed that. I also noticed the idea that a colder climate is not conducive to life. What a novel concept! :-)

[colorado tanker]

Neanderthal leader Algore persuaded them to cut carbon emissions to lower the high temperatures of the last interglacial. There wasn't a long enough season for him to show off his fancy furs. Revenge was had on his family as the dwindling bands of Neanderthals blamed the Algoreans for the ensuing ice age. Unfortunately, one lone branch of the family survived . . . .