Human-Neanderthal Mating Left Its Mark in the Human Genome

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Ever since anthropologists figured out that early humans and Neanderthals coexisted for a span of prehistory, they've wondered–did the two species, you know, make friends? Now a fascinating new genetics study reveals that ** sapiens and Neanderthals did indeed interbreed, and the evidence is still to be found in the human genome.

Researchers from Germany's Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology first sequenced the entire Neanderthal genome from powdered bone fragments found in Europe and dating from 40,000 years ago–a marvelous accomplishment in itself. Then, they compared the Neanderthal genome to that of five modern humans, including Africans, Europeans, and Asians. The researchers found that between 1 percent and 4 percent of the DNA in modern Europeans and Asians was inherited from Neanderthals, which suggests that the interbreeding took place after the first groups of humans left Africa.

Anthropologists have long speculated that early humans may have mated with Neanderthals, but the latest study provides the strongest evidence so far, suggesting that such encounters took place around 60,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent region of the Middle East [The Guardian].

The study, published in Science and made available to the public for free, opens up new areas for research. Geneticists will now probe the function of the Neanderthal genes that humans have hung on to, and can also look for human genes that may have given us a competitive edge over Neanderthals.

Erik Trinkaus, an anthropologist at Washington University in St. Louis, who has long argued that Neanderthals contributed to the human genome, welcomed the study, commenting that now researchers "can get on to other things than who was having sex with who in the Pleistocene" [AP].

http://blogs.discove...e-human-genome/

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Ah, so they have finally found some genetic evidence! For so long they were saying that there was none. 1-4%, interesting. I wonder if it is for all humans or just specific haplotypes (eg Haplotype I which was in the Middle East around that time period and then migrated north into Scandinavia and the British Isles)?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Ah, so they have finally found some genetic evidence! For so long they were saying that there was none. 1-4%, interesting. I wonder if it is for all humans or just specific haplotypes (eg Haplotype I which was in the Middle East around that time period and then migrated north into Scandinavia and the British Isles)?

I think it is in all of us. I tend to laugh at simple things and bump my head into walls. I'm wondering now if it's just the Neanderthal in me?

[justashooter 430]

they are presuming all euros and asians include some of the DNA.

would be interesting to see the specific data. assume this is mitochondrial analysis.

after all, we share about 98% DNA with a chimp, and about 65% with a water buffaloe.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

This proves two things...

1. The pre-historic existence of BEER

2. The girls really DO get prettier at closing time.

Still unconfirmed...That some ** sapien chicks did some neandethal men because of the rumor they had bigger c*cks.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I think it is in all of us. I tend to laugh at simple things and bump my head into walls. I'm wondering now if it's just the Neanderthal in me?

Probably yes. I do not bump my head into walls, laugh at simple things ("Family Guy" is NOT simple!). I also do not snore, dribble soup on my chin or vote for Democrats...so it is maybe not "in all of us"

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Ah, so they have finally found some genetic evidence! For so long they were saying that there was none. 1-4%, interesting. I wonder if it is for all humans or just specific haplotypes (eg Haplotype I which was in the Middle East around that time period and then migrated north into Scandinavia and the British Isles)?

Thence to Canada where they took over the place from civilized French humans.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Didn't know that Neantherdals share the same chromosome numbers. Is that right Katheryn? So, Super man does exist.

[Ban Hammer 13,369]

after all, we share about 98% DNA with a chimp, and about 65% with a water buffaloe.

hey i was drunk that night!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

hey i was drunk that night!

It must have been the Neanderthal in you.

[Ban Hammer 13,369]

It must have been the Neanderthal in you.

or the neanderthal in the buffalo

[Saddle Bronc 124]

This proves two things...

1. The pre-historic existence of BEER

2. The girls really DO get prettier at closing time.

(more serious) Weren't neanderthals basically just a subspecies of H. sapiens?

Edited May 7, 2010 by Saddle Bronc

[one...two...tree 2,762]

(more serious) Weren't neanderthals basically just a subspecies of H. sapiens?

I don't think so. ** sapiens came from the Beverly Hills of the evolutionary tree, while Neanderthals come from the Ozarks.

[PhiLandShiR 18]

(more serious) Weren't neanderthals basically just a subspecies of H. sapiens?

It could argued the H. Sapiens is the subspecies and not the Neanderthals...

Either way, we now know how H. Sapiens got infested with the conservative genes...

[Ban Hammer 13,369]

Either way, we now know how H. Sapiens got infested with the conservative genes...

i was spreading my wild oats in my youth.