Blow to Neanderthal breeding theory

BBC ^ | Tuesday, 13 May, 2003

[presidio9]

Scientists know that Neanderthals and early human ancestors were distinct species, even though they lived during the same period.

However, there is controversy over theories that Neanderthals made a contribution to the modern human gene pool.

A skeleton uncovered in Portugal appeared to show both Neanderthal and human features.

DNA taken

The latest research, from the University of Ferrara in Italy, compared genetic material from Neaderthals, Cro-Magnon humans and modern Europeans.

The DNA from the Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons was taken from their bones.

The DNA came from cell structures called mitochondriae rather than the nucleus.

They found that while, unsurprisingly, modern humans show clear genetic signs of their Cro-Magnon ancestry, no such link between Neanderthal DNA and modern European DNA could be established.

The results, they say, indicate that Neanderthals made little or no contribution to the genes of modern humans.

Out of Africa

The mitochondrial DNA of the two ancient species were very different, claims the study.

"This discontinuity is difficult to reconcile with the hypothesis that both Neanderthals and early anatomically modern humans contributed to the current European gene pool."

The finding supports the theory that the "anatomically modern human" arose in Africa some 150,000 years ago and dispersed, displacing the Neanderthals on the way.

It is a blow to the "multi-regional" theory, in which some interbreeding between Neanderthal and early humans is thought to have taken place.

[mewzilla]

Jeez louise, it's just one skeleton. One. Personally, I'd want a larger sample size before jumping to any conclusions.

[Right Wing Professor]

"This discontinuity is difficult to reconcile with the hypothesis that both Neanderthals and early anatomically modern humans contributed to the current European gene pool."

They should be a little more careful. What it says is that Neanderthal women didn't contribute to the gene pool. Suppose Cro-Magnon men didn't fancy Neanderthal women, on account of them looking like the sisters of Dourass, but Neanderthal men liked Cro-Magnon women? I don't think that scenario's at all unlikely.

[mewzilla]

And I'd like to know the number of samples on the DNA testing. And did they test the one skeleton with human and Neanderthal features.

[Blood of Tyrants]

The number of "missing links" between monkeys and men continues to grow. If I hade a chain with that many missing links I, er, ah, wouldn't have a chain at all.

[Slicksadick]

ping

[Asclepius]

... no such link between Neanderthal DNA and modern European DNA could be established ...

There goes my theory about the origins of the French.

The dimensions and bone-mass of neanderthal specimens suggests that sex with same, male or female, would have left the human participant injured or dead. Most likely dead. Or wishing that he was, or she was, or whatever. E.g. imagine a human female attempting to give birth to a half-neanderthal child--YIKES! And a neanderthal female would probably just laugh at a sexually excited human male (ahem).

Neaderthals were optimized for heavy lifting etc.

[Hodar]

It is a blow to the "multi-regional" theory, in which some interbreeding between Neanderthal and early humans is thought to have taken place.

I have no doubt that interbreeding likely took place, but could the offspring then have been sterile?

[Junior]

Ping

[OXENinFLA]

zug zug!

[newgeezer]

(from the article) Scientists know

Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Stop, yer killin' me!

[Slyfox]

A skeleton uncovered in Portugal appeared
to show both Neanderthal and human features.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Its him.

[My2Cents]

Direct descendent of the Neanderthals:

Stephen Jay Gould

[sleepy_hollow]

Ok, so let me see..."scientists know". There's an interesting phrase. How does the reporter know that scientists know? Perhaps scientists assert that they know. that would be fact-based reporting. But the reporter cannot possibly know what the scientists know. That is ideological reporting.

Next, seems Neanderthal is same species as humans, but there is no DNA linkage. That's particularly curious. Maybe they are not the saem species. But what is a "species" anyway? Why it's merely part of a convention for cataloguing lifeforms. The Dewey Decimal System is a way of arranging books in a library, but that does not make the arrangement scientific or intrinsic to the collection of books.

Someone needs to come up with another view of origins.

I can think of one...<><

[tdadams]

Something about this headline (Neanderthals breeding) made me suddenly visualize congressional Democrats naked, late at night, in a private Capitol Hill office.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

I have no doubt that interbreeding likely took place, but could the offspring then have been sterile?

Possible, or perhaps no pregnancy, 'cause there are modern (today) humans who will bang anything.

[Gorzaloon]

... no such link between Neanderthal DNA and modern European DNA could be established ...

There goes my theory about the origins of the French.

There is a local fellow near me who runs a junkyard that they have obviously overlooked.

[r9etb]

Scientists know that Neanderthals and early human ancestors were distinct species, even though they lived during the same period.

One wonders if the Neanderthals were the inspiration for the "Nephilim" of Genesis 6:4:

The Nephilim were on the earth in those days-and also afterward-when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

[Bernard Marx]

There goes my theory about the origins of the French.

You're either stealing my line or Great Minds, etc. LOL.