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.

[presidio9]

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?

Also, I don't think there was a heck of a lot of courtship going on back then, and a cro-magnon man may not have been able to overpower a neandertal woman.

[biblewonk]

We all know that all of those "missing links" were made from things like pig bones.

[fishtank]

The skull gets larger.

[gcruse]

Neanderthal bones were bigger, a sign of old age in humans? My shrinking granny doesn't think so.

[Not Insane]

--The older we get, the heavier our bone mass
becomes. Except that it doesn't.--

Well, not in THIS age...

[fishtank]

the chins, jaw and eyebrows get bigger

[Right Wing Professor]

Wouldn't a son or grandson of such a union have a fancy for Neanderthal women?

Maybe not. Maybe both Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon men liked Cro-Magnon women.

[Aric2000]

Whoa there, freeze frame, let's back up a bit, shall we?

The reason I did that, is because Creationists are going to play their game here.

This article was about 1 experiment, and they will go into generalities about how with 1 experiment we KNOW this is true, where that is NOT at all what was said.

It said indicates, which is the PROPER scientific term for answers from 1 experiment

[Not Insane]

The fact that the DNA is different kind of throws a monkeywrench in that theory. OTOH, the pre-flood world was different in ways of which we are not yet aware. The model is not complete.

One things apparent: The rules were different.

[Lee'sGhost]

"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."

OK, so do you explain Helen Thomas?

(I know, it doesn't quite go together, but I thought saying "Helen Thomas" on this thread would get a laugh. I think your theory has merit. . . .and then the female offspring of the N-men/CM-women might not be so ugly as to discourage ALL CM men.


"the sisters of Dourass" ???

[capitan_refugio]

If the DNA differences between the Neanderthal sample and the reference sample are significant, you may not need very many more to prove the point. Afterall, the DNA sequence diversion between humans and chimps is about 4.8% (R.J. Britton, 2002, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences). A geneticist would pick that up in one sample.

Admittedly, a larger sample would lend greater credibility to the finding.

[gcruse]

Well, not in THIS age...

Hup!!  Bingo, you've nailed it.
This time, it's different.

[LiteKeeper]

YEC doubts

[capitan_refugio]

"Suppose Cro-Magnon men didn't fancy Neanderthal women, on account of them looking like the sisters of Dourass ..."

Everbody knows that (after "The Original Series"), Klingon skulls were modeled after "Zinjanthropus", not "Neanderthalensis"!!

[asformeandformyhouse]

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

They've just found Pat Ewing.

[capitan_refugio]

My eyes! My eyes!
Oh! The pain!!

[bigcheese]

Or maybe male Neanderthal's only liked other Neanderthal males and the Neanderthal women only liked Neanderthal women.... could be the reason they died out, too.

[Oberon]

What it says is that Neanderthal women didn't contribute to the gene pool.

Evidently they had not yet invented beer brewing at that time.

[capitan_refugio]

"Oh, but the neanderthals are not gone.... no they now live in California."

Go down to the beach in Southern California and look for the guys with a heavy brow ridge, hairy backs, and no chins (brow ridge and lack of protruding chin are diagnostic features for Neanderthal skulls). You won't find any women with hairy backs at the beach - they are off riding their motorcycles.

[samuel_adams_us]

This could be proved easily by taking blood from Tom Dashole. Since he is a cross between Cro-Magnum and Neanderthal all of the DNA should match and it would also lead credibility to the idea that democrats are behind in evolution.