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Humans Interbred with Four Extinct Hominin Species, Research Finds

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Re: Humans Interbred with Four Extinct Hominin Species, Research Finds

#91
post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> my favorite is that we simply outbred them because of our sex appeal. Then why didn't the smart and strong Neanderthal males mate with the sexy Sapiens females?

That is exactly what they did - all the Neanderthal genes in the current populations has come down via Neanderthal males and sapien female matings. Personally I blame Tinder, but it could have something to do with Haldane's Rule [0]. 0 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haldane%27s_rule

I guess that's in the mitochondrial dna then?

Re: Humans Interbred with Four Extinct Hominin Species, Research Finds

#92
post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That is exactly what they did - all the Neanderthal genes in the current populations has come down via Neanderthal males and sapien female matings. Personally I blame Tinder, but it could have something to do with Haldane's Rule [0]. 0 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haldane%27s_rule

I guess that's in the mitochondrial dna then?

All the mitochondrial lineages trace out of Africa in relatively recent times. This is more to do with genetic incompatibility between closely related species.

Re: Humans Interbred with Four Extinct Hominin Species, Research Finds

#93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you provide a citation for your first point? I don't see how Haldane's Rule would support that, but maybe I am missing something.

I am at home tapping away on my iPad so i don't have access to my papers, but it is known there are no Neanderthal genes on the X chromosome. This is what is expected with Haldane's rule where one cross between species is fertile and the other infertile.

cool thanks

Re: Humans Interbred with Four Extinct Hominin Species, Research Finds

#94
post #18

Suppose we found enough DNA to recreate these hominins. Would they be citizens or zoo animals? Either way, what if they want to interbreed? Do we determine this based on looks? What if the attraction is unidirectional?

They would be citizens. They would grow up like normal children. They would speak any human language. They could achieve anything any other human could in their lives. The differences would be subtle. They would appear like unusual humans to us, a racial group that we had never encountered. We would certainly see more commonalities with other modern humans than differences. All their traits would be present to some e…

'They could achieve anything any other human could in their lives.'

this is just preaching

Re: Humans Interbred with Four Extinct Hominin Species, Research Finds

#95
Given that we carry the genetic legacy of all these Hominin species, are we still homo-sapiens?

Should modern humans be classified as something else, distinct from the original pre-interbreeding homo-sapiens?

If so, given how randy we have been, I propose Homo-Amatorius.

Re: Humans Interbred with Four Extinct Hominin Species, Research Finds

#96
post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They had greater cranial capacity than us, but so do elephants and whales. And the animal with the greatest brain-to-body-size ratio is tree shrew, suggesting that size doesn't really matter when it comes to intelligence.

Neither of those animals has the appropriate morphology to build tools or use complex language. How do we know they aren't actually smarter than us?

You are asking me to prove that humans are smarter than elephants? It makes for an interesting philosophical debate, but that is all it really will be. Kind of like me asking you to prove you are smarter than a rock, or that you are really conscious.

Re: Humans Interbred with Four Extinct Hominin Species, Research Finds

#97
post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Neither of those animals has the appropriate morphology to build tools or use complex language. How do we know they aren't actually smarter than us?

> or use complex language. That we know of. They might completely have complex language using different mediums (infra sounds, vibrations, movements, smells, etc.).

I believe all animals definitely have some sort of language, and that the complexity of a language depends on its utility in facilitating everyday interactions and activities. What are the most complex activities you've seen elephants get up to?

Re: Humans Interbred with Four Extinct Hominin Species, Research Finds

#98
post #95

Given that we carry the genetic legacy of all these Hominin species, are we still homo-sapiens? Should modern humans be classified as something else, distinct from the original pre-interbreeding homo-sapiens? If so, given how randy we have been, I propose Homo-Amatorius.

The two named species from the research are Homo sapiens denisova and Homo sapiens neanderthalensis. We're Homo sapiens sapiens, because we ate the wise-wise fruit.

(The other two are nameless data ghosts at this point, due to lack of corresponding archeological records, but presumably Homo sapiens whateveris and Homo sapiens someotheris.)

It's kind of open to debate whether those should be independent species, or their own species, but basically we're all Homo sapiens of one sort or another unless you want to get into a long unresolvable highly technical argument about it, which revolves around what precise definition of "species" is useful in some arbitrary context.

Re: Humans Interbred with Four Extinct Hominin Species, Research Finds

#99

"Homo sapiens" is Latin for "wise man," but there were many Hominin species who possessed comparative culture, art, and intelligence. Neanderthals actually had larger brains compared to modern humans[0]. There are many theories on why Neanderthals became extinct[1]; my favorite is that we simply outbred them because of our sex appeal. What is Latin for "sexy human?" [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neanderthal#Anato…

As far as I know, more of their brain was dedicated to vision in comparison to ours.

Re: Humans Interbred with Four Extinct Hominin Species, Research Finds

#100

I'm curious; can we assume they were similar enough to be attractive or desirable as mates? It's obvious different cultural standards may have applied. Or am I asking a stupid question?

Humans nowadays are attracted to everything from anime characters to people dressed in furry animal costumes. The set of things we’re attracted to knows no bounds.
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