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Humans Evolved From a Single Origin In Africa
Invisible Pink Unicorn writes "Researchers at the University of Cambridge have combined studies of global human genetic variations with skull measurements worldwide to show conclusively the validity of the single origin hypothesis. The alternative hypothesis contended that different populations independently evolved from Homo erectus to Home sapiens in different areas. The lead researcher explains, 'The origin of anatomically modern humans has been the focus of much heated debate. Our genetic research shows the further modern humans have migrated from Africa, the more genetic diversity has been lost within a population. However, some have used skull data to argue that modern humans originated in multiple spots around the world. We have combined our genetic data with new measurements of a large sample of skulls to show definitively that modern humans originated from a single area in Sub-saharan Africa.' The article abstract is available from Nature."
Isn't it possible that after submitting this article he found out more information?
How exactly do you submit a retraction for a slash article?
I would rather have Unicorn posting his own update than having someone ripping the original to pieces.
His(her/it) actions are commendable in my book.
liqbase
I am not a scientist, nor do I play one on TV. But my understanding of the way evolution worked is that you need a breeding population sharing common mutations and traits in order to lock in evolutionary traits. The old textbook example for regular speciation within a main population a fertile jungle valley split in two by a great river. Species A was once on both sides of the river and populations could interbreed if presented the opportunity. But given enough isolation, and especially if any environmental factors differ on one side or the other, a Species B can emerge. When the changes are minor, one could refer to the changed one as a sub-species. If the changes become very pronounced, such that interbreeding is difficult or rarely results in viable offspring, then you could say that second population constitutes a new species.
Given that two identical populations can drift away from the ability to interbreed through nothing more than isolation, how likely would it be that one species, scattered across many environments, could independently evolve into a new species whose members could interbreed? That seems a bit off!
I do think that hybrid species are pretty cool, even though they don't occur too often in nature. We had the polar/kodiak hybrid shot a year or so back. Zoos also have many examples of lygers, tylons, etc. Wolves and domestic dogs can interbreed, the same goes with cyotes and jackals as well. It does make one wonder how far humans could drift apart if several populations were isolated for 20,000 years. I wonder if they'd all still look alike except for different bumpy foreheads?
Kwisatz Haderach
Sell the spice to CHOAM
This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
Adam and Eve were black? Next you'll be telling us that Jesus was Jewish!
Seriously, though, the creationists I respect go to the Bible/Koran/Talmud and say "God created the heavens and the earth" then go to a science textbook to figure out how he did it.
You are reading a copy of my copyrighted post.
Anyways, some anthropologist took this population/genetics research and applied it to human populations. First off, they had to show that there was more diversity in Africa. They did this with genetics. So then if Africa has the most human diversity, and the above postulate about populations and diversity is true, then humans must have originated in Africa.
Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.
-- Pablo Picasso
Good points. I'm an evolutionist, and I find it sad that you are unlikely to be modded up on this. (Against the group-think and all that.)
When I read the article, the first thing I thought was 'I thought we could all agree on this?' That's the 1 big (important) thing the ID and Evo people agree on: We came from a single source.
Of course, I still haven't ruled out that possibility that evolution is controlled by God. It kind of muddies things a bit.
"If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; But if you really make them think, they'll hate you." - DM
Actually, it is simpler than that. Movement out of Africa would occur as small groups leave, to go to other places. Those groups will only carry a subset of the alleles from the larger population. Thus, they will be less genetically diverse.
;)
And it is nice to see another anthropologist on Slashdot. I have my degree in anthropology (focusing in archaeology), with a minor in statistics.
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